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Young Brits to illustrate a new picture of prejudice

24 November 2009

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is asking young Britons to express their vision of a world free from prejudice as it launches Young Brits at Art 2010 in London today.

The national art award invites 11-19 year olds to explore their beliefs, opinions and judgments by asking: “What would the world look like if we lived without prejudice?”

After the success of the first year of the awards in 2009, Young Brits at Art 2010 includes new categories such as photography, sculpture and motion animation, as well as its previous sections for painting and drawing.

National curriculum teaching packs are available to guide schools, pupil referral units, religious groups and other organisations that wish to explore the meaning of equality and human rights through art. Young people can also develop their own artwork and enter independently.

How entrants choose to define prejudice is up to them and there will be 45 workshops held across Britain by arts professionals to support those taking part. 

Baroness Margaret Prosser, Deputy-Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:

“We want to celebrate young people’s talent and give them a platform to show us how they picture a world where inequality and discrimination doesn’t exist.  By addressing the causes and effects of inequality through art young people can help paint a future built on fairness and respect.”

One of last year’s winners, Stephanie Winn said:

“When I won, I felt I managed to send out a positive message about the negative effects of discrimination.  This year’s theme provides the perfect opportunity for us to express our thoughts and voice our opinions through the medium of art. I hope we will see a change of attitude.”

All the winners and shortlisted entries will be exhibited in London in the Summer.  To view more information about Young Brits at Art please visit: www.equalityhumanrights.com/art.

Ends

For media enquiries or to attend the launch in Southwark, London, please contact Hannah Young on 0203 117 0255 or after hours on 07767272818.

Notes to editors

Information and teaching resources for Young Brits At Art 2010 will be available online from 4pm on 24 November 2009.

Speakers at the launch include: Equality and Human Rights Commission Deputy Chair Margaret Prosser OBE, artist Alison Lapper and previous Young Brits At Art winners Georgia Marshall Evangelou and Stephanie Winn.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.  It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain.  It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act.  It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.

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