Harpur Trust Art Competition 2020

The Harpur Trust is inviting all Bedford Borough schools to take part in their third Art Competition.

The competition will run from September 2019 over the autumn and spring terms during which time they will be offering free workshops for up to 35 state schools (on a first come first served basis). The competition will culminate in the summer of 2020 with a professional exhibition, of selected children’s work at The Higgins Bedford and there will be a special preview evening during which they will present the prizes.

This year, the theme of our competition is ‘The Fabric of Bedford’. The Harpur Trust has been in the town for over 450 years and as well as running our schools, they make grants to local charitable organisations and voluntary groups to the tune of £1 million each year. They also look after older people in the town through our almshouses and other accommodation.

This year, they would like to know what you think captures the heart of Bedford and makes our town unique? You might choose a particular organisation or an industry. You could portray a person or people you feel best represent our town. You might select a shop, café, library or sports club or charitable organisation that is special to you, or you may focus on the town’s buildings or bridges. You could explore community and diversity, or consider the history of the town and how it has evolved. Feel free to focus on one aspect of Bedford life, or if you prefer, produce a montage of all the things that you feel make Bedford the town that it is.

As part of the competition, the Harpur Trust is once again offering free artist workshops for the first 35 schools that apply.

The Harpur Trust are also running free art inset sessions for staff, which will involve a carousel of local artists offering a range of techniques and ideas to support the competition.

In April 2020, the judges will select up to 120 entries for a public exhibition at The Higgins Bedford which will run from July to September 2020.

Up to £300 in prize money for the school is available if one of your pupils wins a category. This can be used to purchase art equipment, or to pay for an art related experience for the pupils.

For more information, please download the Schools Communication Pack which has further details on applying, terms & conditions and upcoming deadlines.