THE 2019 Aesthetica Art Prize at York Art Gallery is open for entries until August 31, offering both emerging and established artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience, and further their engagement with the international art world.

"The prize is a celebration of excellence in art from across the world, attracting thousands of entries in a range of innovative media from locations as diverse as Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, the United States and the UK," says Aesthetica Magazine director Cherie Federico.

Past finalists have included Canadian sound installation artist Adam Basanta; director Toby Dye; Tokyo-based French architect and artist Emmanuelle Moureaux; founder of the artists collective [ALLOY] Rachel Ara; a recipient of the Royal British Society of Sculptors Bursary Award, Liz West, and Ellie Davies, who has since shown work in the exhibition Into The Woods at Crane Kalman, London.

Aiming to unite and provide a diverse platform for artists, the prize is hosted by Aesthetica Magazine, the arts and culture publication published in York. The bi-monthly magazine showcases the most important global artists at work today, including in-depth coverage of the latest developments being made in the visual arts, fashion and design, all seen through the lens of today's socio-political climate.

There are two awards for entry: the emerging prize, open to current students and artists who have graduated within the past two years, and the main prize, open to all, including those eligible for the emerging prize. Artists can submit work to one of four categories: photographic and digital art; three-dimensional design and sculpture; painting, drawing and mixed media and video, installation and performance.

Prizes include £5,000 for the main prize winner; £1,000, for the emerging art prize; participation in a group exhibition hosted by Aesthetica; publication in Future Now: 100 Contemporary Artists; an art supplies voucher, courtesy of Winsor & Newton, and art books, courtesy of Prestel.

"Furthering the careers of many artists, the Aesthetica Art Prize is an opportunity for artists to gain further exposure through publication in Future Now: 100 Contemporary Artists," says Cherie. "The 100 shortlisted and longlisted artists from the prize will receive coverage, as readers of the anthology are invited to explore the captivating projects via a statement from each artist and selected imagery."

Shortlisted artists will have the chance to exhibit their work at the Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition at York Art Gallery. Featuring site-specific installations, the exhibition encourages audience engagement, inviting visitors to vote for their favourite work. In addition to the shortlisted works, images of more than 80 longlisted pieces will be shown on monitors within the gallery, offering the chance for exhibition-goers to explore the breadth and diversity of work being produced across the world today.

The 2018 Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition, for which entries had to be submitted last year, will be on show at York Art Gallery from May 17 to September 30, with the two winners being announced on the opening evening. Coinciding with that preview, the Future Now Symposium will return for its third year on May 17 and 18, when the event will bring together 40 speakers from Britain's leading art organisations, with lecturers, panel discussions, portfolio reviews and film screenings all taking place across the two days.

For more information or submission guidelines for the 2019 Aesthetica Art Prize, visit aestheticamagazine.com/art-prize