John Moores 2010

FAQs

Background

Who or what is John Moores?

The John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize is an open competition for artists working with paint which culminates in an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery. The exhibition is open to all artists residing in the UK and showcases the best new painting produced in the UK today, attracting a broad spectrum of artists. Named after its founder, the first John Moores was intended as a one-off, but its great success led to it becoming a biennial event. By the early sixties, the exhibition was regarded as the UK’s leading showcase for avant-garde painting. Many of the prize-winning works were purchased by John Moores and presented to the Walker Art Gallery for its permanent collection. Since John Moores 23, the first prize is no longer a purchase prize.

John Moores (1896 -1993) was the founder of Littlewoods, a Liverpool-based company. A man of fierce local pride - and a keen amateur painter - he was concerned at London's increasing domination of the national arts scene. He established the event as a competition open to anyone and sponsored the prizes. Today, the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust works in partnership with National Museums Liverpool to present the John Moores Exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery every two years.

Is the John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize part of the Biennial?

JM2010 forms a key strand of Liverpool Biennial’s 6th International festival which launches on 18 September and runs until 28 November 2010. The festival is a collaborative event delivered every two years in partnership with the region’s long-established visual arts organisations. These include National Museums Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, the Bluecoat, Open Eye Gallery, the A Foundation and FACT, as well as a number of smaller galleries and independent venues. You can find more information on International10 by visiting the biennial website.

What were this year’s stats?

Call for Entries ran from November 2009 to 22 February 2010. We received 2880 entrants. The most entrants to the John Moores Painting Prize ever excepting the Capital of Culture year.

When are the next exhibition dates?

The exhibition dates are the 18 September 2010 to 3 January 2011. The John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize forms a major strand of the Liverpool Biennial 18 September until 28 November 2010.

What are the prizes?

First prize of £25,000 - This is an outright prize and is no longer a purchase prize.

4 prizes of £2,500

1 visitor’s choice prize of £2,010 - This is awarded towards the end of the exhibition period.

Conditions of Entry

Where can I view the full conditions of entry?

The full terms of entry can be found on our conditions page here.

Can I have a refund if I decide to withdraw my application?

The £25 registration fee, which includes VAT is non-refundable.

Does my work have to be for sale?

If the artist progresses through to stage 2, the work must be available for sale. The selling price of all shortlisted work must be specified, where indicated, on the stage 2 entry form. Work sold during the exhibition is subject to a 20% commission charge by NML Trading Ltd and the price quoted on the official entry form (stage 2) should take this into account. Entrants who are VAT registered should include VAT in their price.

The selection process

If I post my image(s) via CD, will I be able to receive them back at the end of the judging?

All images submitted are non-returnable.

How is the selected work chosen?

The judges view all images entered during Stage 1. This process is anonymous: jurors are not given the names of the artists but have access to information such as title, size and medium. The images are viewed and discussed by the jury. As a result of this process, the jury then shortlists the paintings that are to progress through to Stage 2. Shortlisted artists are then asked to transport their shortlisted painting (this must be the same painting as seen in the image by the jury) to one of the six depots around the UK. These paintings are then brought to Liverpool for judging. Working together, the jury then view and discuss each painting individually to select the works for the final exhibition. They also make the decision about prize-winners.

When will I find out if I have been selected for Stage 2?

All entrants will be contacted via post the week beginning 3 May to let them know if they have successfully progressed to Stage 2 or not. Successful entrants will also receive their Stage 2 application pack at this time. As with registration and stage 1 there will be an option to complete this process online.

Where are the 6 depots?

There are 6 depots situated around the UK. These will be confirmed in the Stage 2 entry pack and on the John Moores 2010 web page. An alternative depot can be used for the return of works if preferred but this must be clearly stated on the stage 2 entry form.

When is sending in week?

Sending in week for works chosen to be viewed at Stage 2 is 17 - 21 May, days may vary according to the regional depots

What will happen to my work after Stage 2 Judging?

If your work has been selected for exhibition we shall retain it until the exhibition has ended

If you have not been successful at Stage 2 your work will be returned to the regional depot it was collected from and you will be able to collect it between 5 and 9 July 2010

What happens if I change my address over the summer?

Please inform the John Moores Project team of any updates to your contact details by emailing: jm2010@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk and quoting your artist entry number.

Will there be a full colour catalogue this year?

Yes, there will be a full colour catalogue for the John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize. There will also be an online catalogue for the exhibition. 

Are there any catalogues left from previous John Moores exhibitions?

Copies of the John Moores 24 and 25 exhibition catalogue are available. Each catalogue is priced at £5.00 + £2.00p&p and can be purchased by emailing: publications@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or by calling 0151 478 4685.

How do I make a query about John Moores 2010?

You can contact the John Moores Project Manager using our online contact form here.