Whitworth Art Gallery Announced as Winner of Lever Prize 2011
The Whitworth Art Gallery has scooped this year’s prestigious £10,000 Lever Prize award.
The Whitworth has become the sixth organisation to receive the annual accolade, announced this year at the Bruntwood Awards to Arts & Business North 2011 ceremony at the Town Hall in Manchester. The trophy and cheque were presented, by Paul Lee, Chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), who sponsor the award with support from Arts & Business North.
The Lever Prize, launched six years ago, aims to revive the philanthropic traditions of the industrial past, embodied by soap magnate and patron of the arts, Lord Leverhulme. Each year it is judged by the North West Business Leadership Team, which comprises senior representatives of the 30 largest companies in the region, in partnership with Arts & Business North.
The award is not just for arts groups, but buildings, events, festivals, libraries and archives are all eligible. In addition to the cash prize the award opens the door to a year long collaboration with the region’s top business leaders.
Accepting the award, Maria Balshaw, director at the Whitworth said: "this is really exciting news for the Whitworth following on from our recent Heritage Lottery Fund £8million announcement. We are extremely keen to develop links with key regional businesses and winning the Lever Prize gives us that opportunity. We are delighted to join such an illustrious group of Lever Prize winners.”
Geoffrey Piper, chief executive of NWBLT responded “We are delighted to have another outstanding Lever Prize winner. The Whitworth is a must-see destination for visitors and local residents alike, and the year-long partnership with top North West companies will create opportunities to build on its very exciting offer. We are particularly delighted to be supporting the Gallery as they embark upon a £12m redevelopment which will transform the visitor experience”.
Brenda Parkerson, regional director of Arts & Business North commented “It is an absolute delight to see this wonderful prize go to The Whitworth. They have made a remarkable journey these past four years. The Lever Prize and the potential for exciting corporate partnerships that working with the NWBLT offers will be a real asset at a crucial time for the gallery and for culture in Manchester”
Previous winners include Liverpool Biennial in 2006, Manchester International Festival in 2007, TATE Liverpool in 2008, The National Football Museum in 2009 and FutureEverything in 2010
