Channel 4 increases coverage of the Turner Prize

11 November 2011

Channel 4 is marking its 20-year association with the Turner Prize by increasing its programming and sponsoring the Prize fund. The broadcaster has commissioning a dedicated half-hour programme from Whizz Kid Entertainment featuring the live announcement of the winner  from the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, plus an hour-long documentary from Illuminations charting the highs and lows of Britain's most famous contemporary art prize, for More4.

A series of short films about the shortlisted artists will feature on Channel 4 as part of Random Acts, the late-night short form arts strand launched in September. The films will be produced by Tate Media.

Tabitha Jackson, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, Arts, said: "I'm delighted that we are marking our 20 year association with the Turner Prize by restating and increasing our commitment to the Prize, to our partnership with the Tate, and to the vibrant state of contemporary art in this country. The Turner Prize is both esteemed and controversial - a perfect fit for Channel 4."

Whizz Kid Entertainment will produce the half-hour programme live from the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead. The programme will be hosted by Lauren Laverne who will be joined by a panel of special guests. The programme will feature interviews with the nominated artists, the announcement of winner as it happens as well as reactions and discussion from the panel.

Channel 4 has also commissioned Illuminations to make a one-hour programme about the history of the prize, presented by surreal comedian and artist Vic Reeves and featuring interviews with artists Grayson Perry and Cornelia Parker plus critics including Tim Marlow and Brian Sewell.

 

Notes to editors:

About the More4 Turner Prize Show (w/t)

In 1991 Channel 4 resurrected The Turner Prize and devoted primetime television to the award. Contemporary art broke out of the gallery and crashed in the British living room. Vic Reeves, himself a painter, interviews artists and critics and looks back at the highs and lows of 20 years of Turner Prize coverage - the controversy, the shock and the outrage - as well as its impact on the British public's appreciation and appetite for art.. What's the fuss been about? Has it been all bad? And why hasn't he ever been nominated?

Producer / director: Linda Zuck

 

About the Turner Prize

The Turner Prize award is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists. The Prize, established in 1984, is awarded to a British artist under fifty for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding 4 April 2011. It is intended to promote public discussion of new developments in contemporary British art and is widely recognised as one of the most important and prestigious awards for the visual arts in Europe.