The Northern Illustration Prize is back for 2021!

This is the second year of the competition organised by The Northern School of Art, supported by the professional body for illustration in the UK the AOI (Association of Illustrators). The first Northern Illustration Prize in 2019 attracted hundreds of entries from across six continents.

The Prize, which picture book illustrator and author Chris Chatterton has created the identity for in 2021 (at the top and below), aims to celebrate the very best in illustration across the globe and is open for entries from Monday 1 March 2021 from emerging illustrators and professional illustrators. The prize is delivered in partnership with The AOI.

The Prize heralds the start of the countdown to the award-winning biennial ‘The Northern Festival of Illustration’ which it is hoped will return to Hartlepool and other venues this summer.

The Northern Illustration Prize will be judged by staff at The Northern School of Art, AOI and prominent illustrators. All shortlisted entries will be exhibited at the festival and the two winners will be announced in early June.

The Northern Illustration Prize is open to entries in two categories: established illustrator and emerging illustrator. The winner of each prize will each receive £1,000 cash.

Pat Chapman, Vice Principal at The Northern School of Art, said “We’re delighted to announce the launch of this major international art prize to celebrate the contribution of illustrators to the creative arts and to our own enjoyment throughout our everyday lives.

“The purpose of the Prize is to celebrate the diverse world of illustration and provide a platform to celebrate the many different careers for illustrators – from product design through comics, cartoons, gaming, literature and the movie industry.

“We are very excited to see how our illustrators interpret our theme ‘Renaissance’ and, in these strangest of time, celebrate the much-hoped for emergence of the global community from a year of pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must celebrate and support the contribution of the creative arts to our wellbeing as a community and a wider society.”

Further details of The Northern Illustration Prize can be found at https://theaoi.com/northern-illustration-prize-2021/  where there is full guidance on how to enter and the terms and conditions. Entry deadline is Sunday 11 April 2021.