It was announced today that the host venue for Turner Prize 2019 will be Turner Contemporary in Margate.
One of the best known prizes for the visual arts in the world, the Turner Prize aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art. Every other year, the prize leaves Tate Britain and is presented at a venue outside London. In 2019 it will be presented at Turner Contemporary which, since opening in 2011, has had a catalytic effect on social and cultural regeneration in Kent, and has established an international reputation.
Victoria Pomery OBE, Director of Turner Contemporary said: ‘We are thrilled to host the Turner Prize here at Turner Contemporary in 2019. This is a truly transformative opportunity for Margate to be part of something which invites conversations on an international scale, connecting our audiences to outstanding contemporary art and inspiring future generations of creative talent. It seems even more fitting to host the prize here in Margate on the site where JMW Turner was so inspired. We look forward to working with our existing and new stakeholders and colleagues at Tate on this exciting initiative.’
Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain and Chair of the Turner Prize jury said ‘Turner Contemporary is an exceptional venue with ambitious exhibition and public engagement programmes. It has helped revitalize south east Kent, and the area is also now home to an exciting artist-led scene. The gallery’s associations with Turner have particular resonance, as Turner was an innovator in his day, and we are delighted that the prize will be presented in Kent. We are looking forward to working with colleagues in Margate.’
The Turner Prize has previously been shown in Liverpool in 2007, Gateshead in 2011, Derry in 2013 and Glasgow in 2015. Turner Prize 2017 will be at Ferens Art Gallery in Hull as part of the 2017 UK City of Culture celebrations from 26 September 2017 to 7 January 2018.
Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the previous twelve months. The Turner Prize award is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists.