National Metalwork Design Award

Applicants applying must be living in the UK. Submissions are welcome from individuals who work with metals on a design or arts and crafts basis, who are able to demonstrate relevant skill and knowledge of the artistic process. This includes:

• Professional and amateur artists
• Designers and craftspeople
• Tutors who have taught or are currently teaching metalwork and design courses;
• Students that are taking metalwork and art courses at higher education and degree levels
• Individuals working for a design company that produce metal lifestyle goods.

The selection panel will be looking for brave and bold designs. Applicants are asked to use their creative skills and imagination to design a piece of metalwork that is both cutting edge and innovative. The selection panel will be assessing the information supplied in the application form and the preparatory material to shortlist 12 applicants who will be informed of their selection by the Award Administrator.

Applicants must submit the following to be eligible to be shortlisted for the £10,000 prize:-

• An application form with legible and accurate details.
• Cheque for £10.00, for administrative costs, made payable to Museums Sheffield
• A signed declaration form.
• Preparatory material that can consist of drawings of design ideas, photographs of completed objects and or prototype models off what the finished object will look like.

The Award Administrator will contact all applicants to inform them that their application form has been received.

The Award Administrator will contact all applicants to inform them of their progress.

Those who have been successful in reaching the second stage of the award will have to submit a completed and finished piece to the Award Administrator by the 4 September 2008.Applicants must not send in completed and finished works to the Award Administrator unless requested to do so by letter.

The 12 applicants that have been chosen by the selection panel will be contacted by the Award Administrator. They will then be expected to submit their completed pieces. The work will then be exhibited in the Millennium Gallery (Avenue) from the 4 October- 3 November 2008.

The award ceremony for the National Metalwork Design Award will be on the 2 December2008.

Applicants who are successful in reaching the second stage of the award have a choice of selling their work but it is not compulsory. Those who choose to sell their work will have to take into account our policy on VAT which the 12 shortlisted applicants will be informed of at a later stage in the award process.

The winning piece selected by the panel, will become part of Sheffield's Designated Metalwork Collection and will be displayed at the discretion of Museums Sheffield therefore the winner of the £10,000 will not be able to sell their work in Christmas Crackers.

The Award Administrator will be happy to answer any of questions and will advise as appropriate. To contact the Award Administrator please email awardadministrator@museums-sheffield.org.uk or ring 0114 278 2617.

We are unable to return Application Forms and preparatory material to applicants.