We are delighted to announce the 10 recipients of Awards for Artists 2024 – the largest individual awards given to visual artists and composers in the UK.
Now in its 30th year, Awards for Artists support visual artists and composers at a critical moment in their careers. Unique in its no-strings-attached funding model, our Awards for Artists allows recipients to use their Award as they wish, providing them the freedom to develop their creative ideas, relieving them of financial pressures they may be facing, and supporting their personal and professional growth.
The 30th anniversary of the Awards for Artists marks an increase in the Award from £60,000 to £75,000 each, reflecting the our strong belief in the value of artists and their vital contribution to society. Since 1994, the scheme has benefited over 357 artists with awards totalling over £11 million, underscoring the significant contribution of the Award to the broader UK arts sector. This year, as in previous years, the recipients of the Award reflect the vitality and diversity of art making throughout the UK today.
The recipients were named at a ceremony held on 14th November at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London.
Jane Hamlyn, Chair, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Chair, Visual Arts judging panel, said:
“The visual artists and composers selected this year join an exceptional cohort, whose work throughout the 30 years of the Awards has continually reaffirmed our commitment to supporting artists. We hope this year’s Awards continue to offer artists crucial time, space and resource to explore their practice.”
Kevin Le Gendre, Writer, Broadcaster, Journalist and Chair of the Composers judging panel, said:
“As judges, we’re proud to recognise the exceptional artists that make up this year’s Award recipients. Each showcases the vibrancy and potential of the arts and we hope the no-strings-attached Award gives them freedom to experiment and evolve their work.”
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the recipients and thank everyone who made the awards possible, especially the judges and nominators. Full biographies and examples of each artist’s work can be found here.
Past visual artist recipients include: Larry Achiampong (2019), Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S) (2023), Yinka Shonibare (1998), Jeremy Deller (2001), Phyllida Barlow (2007), Ed Atkins (2012), Michael Dean (2014), Sonia Boyce (2016), Charlotte Prodger (2017), Ingrid Pollard (2019), Hetain Patel (2021), Harold Offeh (2019), Hardeep Pandhal (2021), Gustav Metzger (2006), Anne Tallentire (2017) and Alberta Whittle (2022).
Past composer recipients include: Martin Green (2014), Nneka Cummins (2023), Sarathy Korwar (2022), Yazz Ahmed (2021), Abel Selaocoe (2021), Laura Jurd (2019), Eleanor Alberga (2019), Sarah Angliss (2018), Serafina Steer (2017), Brian Irvine (2015), Eliza Carthy (2012), Shabaka Hutchings (2014), Luke Bedford (2007).
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation Awards for Artists has evolved over the years. Since 1998, there has been a consistent focus on visual artists, and since 2007, on composers. However, in the earlier years, different art forms were also recognised, such as choreographers in 1995 and poets in 1997. It has also adapted to external challenges; in 2020 and 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the standard selection process was set aside enabling more artists to receive financial support. In total, £2 million was awarded to over 150 artists.
To celebrate 30 years of supporting artists at critical points in their careers, our Awards for Artists, given annually to five visual artists and five composers, will increase from £60,000 to £75,000.
Supporting the arts in the UK has always been important to Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Awards for Artists supports individuals at a timely moment in their careers, giving them the freedom to develop their creative ideas and contributing to their personal and professional growth.
