The word is hitting the streets (well, our flyers and posters are, at any rate), the website it live and, wait for it, we’ve just had our very first entry.
Yes, the Best of Manchester 2008 is now open for entries.
So who, we hear you ask, will be judging our creative work? We’ve lined up three exceptional panels of judges for this year’s competition (one for each category) and, of course, the whole shebang is being overseen by Manchester’s very own Creative Director, Peter Saville.
ART
Looking for examples of creative work across the visual arts, from illustration, graphic design and photography to painting, sculpture, street art and mixed media work are:
Nick Crowe, a practising artist who splits his time between Manchester and Berlin and who has exhibited work in both solo and group shows all over the word. Joining Nick is international curator and gallerist CeriHand , whose new international contemporary art gallery, the Ceri Hand Gallery, opens in Liverpool in July 2008. Nick Johnson brings his architectural, built environment and visual arts experience to the panel. Finally, exhibition organiser, practising artist and Director of Manchester’s Castlefield Gallery, Kwong Lee, completes the line-up for the arts panel.
MUSIC
Looking for examples of creative work across music, from up-and-coming guitar-based bands and live acts to electronic music, promotion and sound art are:
Luke Bainbridge, deputy editor of the Observer Music Monthly. Joining Luke is the composer and Director of the Electroacoustic Music Studios at the University of Manchester, David Berezan. Justin Crawford, as one half of international DJ act The Unabombers and the band Elektrons, brings his DJ, promotion and production experience to the panel. Finally, Caroline Elleray, Head of A&R at Universal Music Publishing, joins the broadcaster and music journalist Miranda Sawyer and Tim Thomas, a producer, engineer, musician and songwriter who represents Manchester’s Blueprint Studios. Phew…
FASHION
Looking for examples of innovation in fashion, styling and fashion photography are:
Claire Lomax, co-founder of international style magazine, Flux. Joining Claire is Jessica Lowe of Harvey Nichols Manchester. David Mallon will be bringing his fashion experience as the brains behind international fashion labels Ringspun and Elvis Jesus, as well as new fashion store The General Store, to the panel. Finally, Alison Welsh, menswear designer, design consultant and Programme Leader and for the BA (Hons) Fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University completes the line-up for the fashion panel.
So what are you waiting for? Find out more about our judges here, find out what they’re looking for in the entrants’ work here – and enter your creative loveliness here.
