www.concordartprize.com

INSTAGRAM @concordartprize

• Major new annual art prize launches in London – open to all in the UK inspired by music and moved to make art – free to enter

• Artists invited to create visual art inspired by the music from the Concord Music Publishing catalogue including Krept & Konan, Pink Floyd, Mark Ronson, Joan Armatrading and Rodgers & Hammerstein

• Exhibition of the finalists to be held in London in May 2021

• Judges include Mark Ronson, Mat Collishaw and experts from the world of art including Central St Martins, the Artists Information Company, The Observer, Hiscox and the Royal College of Arts

New to the art world, the Concord Art Prize will launch in London in 2021. The prize is open to all UK artists, from every demographic and discipline, regardless of the stage of their career, early or established, with a prize of £10,000.

As one of the world’s leading music publishers, home to over 400,000 copyrighted songs, Concord Music Publishing is a treasure chest of some of the world’s most celebrated compositions.

It is no secret that from great art comes great art.  That’s why we want to create a new opportunity as part of that process. By encouraging visual artists at any stage in their careers, we hope that music will be a part of their futures.

We have chosen 10 of the greatest pieces of music from our catalogue - from Mark Ronson to Stravinsky, Krept & Konan to Pink Floyd, to act as inspiration for visual artists to create their own works.

Concord writer, Joan Armatrading, whose song Love & Affection features on the list puts it simply - "Art and music have always intertwined – that’s why I'm excited that my music can help to interpret an aspect of the art that Concord is bringing to the public."

For the inaugural visual Concord Art Prize, artists will be invited to submit proposals based on the below songs.

1. Pink Floyd - The Great Gig in the Sky
2. Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA - Don’t Leave Me Lonely
3. Joan Armatrading - Love & Affection
4. Rodgers and Hammerstein - My Favorite Things
5. Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians
6. Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring
7. Newley & Bricusse - Pure Imagination
8. Ray Barretto - A Deeper Shade of Soul
9. Lyra - New Day (Jackie Lomax)
10. Krept & Konan – Broski

The Art Prize is being curated by Ali Hillman whose consultancy Friday Trampoline is an international creative collective specialising in spring boarding early career artists into public consciousness.

Alongside this, judges will include representatives from Concord Music Publishing, the Royal College of Arts, Central St Martins, Hiscox, Julie Lomax (former head of the Arts Council), The Observer as well as GRAMMY^® award-winning Concord writer Mark Ronson. For the inaugural Art Prize, Mat Collishaw, a key figure in the important generation of British artists who emerged from Goldsmiths’ College in the late 1980s, will also be a judge.

Concord is committed to a long-term connection with the art world and continuing to support artists from all disciplines. With that in mind, we aim to rotate the competition annually between our office locations supporting the art scenes in Miami, Berlin, Los Angeles, New York and then back to London.

Submissions are open now via www.concordartprize.com and will close on January 31^st2021.

Ali Hillman comments, “This is a fantastic initiative that encourages a wide spectrum of creatives to participate. Exposure through a curated exhibition at a leading art space, coupled with access to art world specialists makes the Concord Art Prize an invaluable opportunity. Anyone hoping to carve a path in contemporary art will be welcomed by their fellow creatives from the music industry who have provided the catalyst for this prize. A unique and positive message for lovers of art and music everywhere”.

Sara Lord, SVP International Sync and Project Development at Concord Music Publishing added, “The most enjoyable part of my job here is delving into our incredible catalogues and sharing it with others who create. By encouraging visual artists at whatever stage of their career to let loose with a song or piece of music that moves them – felt like a no brainer. Music and art – what more could you ask for?”

John Minch, President, International at Concord Music Publishing reflects, “We want the greatest artists of the next generation to use our music as they would brushes, paint and stone. One of our greatest thrills is to see our music inspire and see it in a completely new place. Let the competition begin!”

World renowned Boosey & Hawkes composer Steve Reich comments, “Over the years I have heard from several artists, including Gerhard Richter, saying they have used 18 Musicians while painting, sculpting or working with media, I am very excited to see what it may inspire”.

The Judges

Alexander Schady, Central St Martins

Ali Hillman, Friday Trampoline

Julie Lomax, Artists Information Company

Mark Ronson, songwriter

Mat Collishaw, Artist

Pamela Golden, Royal College of Art

Robert Yates, The Observer

Sara Lord, Concord Music Publishing

Whitney Hintz, Hiscox