Soho House announces inaugural art prize

The ever-growing members club has collaborated with Bombay Sapphire for an exciting art prize

One lucky artist will receive funds to ‘realise and present’ a major solo showcase at this year’s Art Basel Miami, thanks to a new contemporary art prize from members’ club titan Soho House and ginmaker Bombay Sapphire. Open to artists around the world, the winner of the Soho House Art Prize will also receive travel and accommodation to the event , as well as an EVERY HOUSE club membership, which grants the holder entry to every Soho House outpost.

The prize will be judged by a panel which includes Tate director Maria Balshaw CBE and Hebru Brantley, artist and Bombay Sapphire creator.

‘I love that we are not judging finished artworks, but rather powerful concepts that we would like to help make a reality,’ said Kate Bryan, Soho House’s head of collections.

‘I am so honoured we have such extraordinary, creative minds judging this prize. I am sure that for the artists who enter part of the buzz is going to be the knowledge that an artist like Hebru and one of the world’s most respected museum directors will be looking at their concepts.’

Soho House invited submissions for a ‘wall-based’ exhibition, and also noted that the winner will receive ‘money-can’t-buy exposure to the judges and other key artworld figures’.

Installation by Charming Baker, from ‘All This is Yours’ at Miami Beach House, 2017

The winning work will also enter the coveted permanent collection of the members’ cub empire – which now has more than 25 clubs worldwide. The group displays over 5000 artworks worldwide, featuring the likes of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Nan Goldin, Tacita Dean, George Condo, Jenny Holzer and Ed Ruscha which sit alongside works by ‘younger and emerging local talent’.

‘Art makes our houses come alive and we value the art communities that are local to our Houses. This prize is designed to take an artist with a great idea on a journey and help them bring their vision to life. I cannot wait to see what they come up with,’ said Soho House founder Nick Jones.