Towner Eastbourne To Host Turner Prize 2023 For Centenary Celebrations

The world's leading prize for contemporary art will be presented at Towner Eastbourne in 2023 as part of the gallery's centenary celebrations.

The year-long celebrations, known as Towner 100, will feature the Turner Prize shortlisted artists from September 28th until January 14th, with the winner announced on December 5th, taking home £25,000. Shortlisted artists also receive a cash prize of £10,000.

Towner Eastbourne is well known for its collection of modern and contemporary British art and award-winning modernist gallery building.

Photo by Jim Stephenson

It was the winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020 and is the largest gallery in the South East, boasting a dynamic programme of commissions, acquisitions and exhibitions by some of the most exciting and diverse artists working at all stages of their careers. 

Installation view, John Akomfrah, Vertigo Sea, 2015. Three-channel HD colour video installation, 7.1 sound. 48 minutes 30 seconds. © Smoking Dogs Films; Courtesy Smoking Dogs Films and Lisson Gallery. Photo by Rob Harris, 2021

Towner Eastbourne told us they are also currently leading an ambitious culture-led Levelling Up project for Eastbourne that will "further reinforce the area's attraction as a major cultural destination internationally".

The Turner Prize, established in 1984, is one of the best- known prizes for visual arts in the world and is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the previous twelve months.

Dineo Seshee Bopape,Towner Eastbourne, 2019. Photo Rob Harris

Tate Britain is the home of Turner Prize, but it regularly travels outside of London. In 2022 it will be at Tate Liverpool to mark 15 years since it was first held in the city as part of the European Capital of Culture. Turner Prize has been held in Coventry in 2021, Margate in 2019, Hull in 2017, Glasgow in 2015, Derry-Londonderry in 2013 and Gateshead in 2011.

Joe Hill, Director, Towner Eastbourne said: 

"We are delighted to announce that Towner Eastbourne will host the 2023 Turner Prize. It will be a very special moment for our communities and for Towner, and a wonderful centrepiece to our centenary year programme. 

"The event will not only allow current and new audiences to experience some of the very best in contemporary art in our brand new galleries, but it will also reignite the visitor economy in East Sussex, with events planned across the county as well as across our own town to coincide with the exhibition. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Towner in 2023 and would also like to thank Tate for this wonderful opportunity.”

Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain and Chair of the Turner Prize jury said: 

“Towner Eastbourne is one of Britain’s most exciting galleries, with a fantastically diverse exhibition programme and world-class collection of modern British and international contemporary art. We are absolutely delighted that Turner Prize will take place at Towner in 2023 as part of the gallery’s centenary celebrations.

"It marks the first time the prize has been held in Sussex, an area that has inspired generations of artists. Towner's rich history of collecting and exhibiting work by UK artists particularly resonates with Turner Prize's aim to champion the latest developments in contemporary British art, and we look forward to seeing how next year’s shortlisted artists will transform Towner’s newly redeveloped galleries.”

Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council said: 

“The Turner Prize coming to Eastbourne marks an important milestone in Eastbourne Borough Council’s ambition for everyone to have access to world-class cultural activity on their doorstep.  We are thrilled to be welcoming such a prestigious national event to one of our town's best-loved cultural venues and we know the impact that it will have on the town will be transformational. 

"We look forward to hosting an event that will engage our children and young people, encourage us to come together in a moment of civic pride, attract new visitors to Eastbourne and give world-class artists an opportunity to show their work at the fantastic Towner Eastbourne.”

Councillor Rupert Simmons, lead member for economy at East Sussex County Council, said: 

“East Sussex is planning to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it will be our chance to showcase all that our beautiful county can offer visitors.  We know that the Turner Prize exhibition is likely to attract many extra visitors and we will be putting plans in place to encourage them to extend their visit, so that the whole of the visitor economy will benefit from the extra visitors that this flagship event will bring. 

"We want to give people a warm welcome so that they come back and visit East Sussex again and again.  We will also be using the Turner Prize exhibition to inspire children and young people, showing them what careers are open to them in the cultural sector, and encouraging residents to get creative.  There is lots of evidence to show that being creative is excellent for people’s health and wellbeing. I would like to congratulate Towner Eastbourne on their achievement in bringing this opportunity to the county.”

More information about Towner 100 and the Turner Prize at Towner Eastbourne will be announced later in 2022.