LIVERPOOL, UK.-The launch of the call for entries this year marks the 50th anniversary of the John Moores prize. First held in 1957, it is the UK's best-known competition for painters and is named after Sir John Moores (1896 - 1993), the founder of the competition. The exhibition is held every two years at the Walker Art Gallery in partnership with the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust.

Next year the John Moores exhibition coincides with Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008 when it forms a key strand of the well established Liverpool Biennial.

The John Moores exhibition showcases the best new paintings produced in the UK today and attracts a broad spectrum of artists. No preference is given to levels of experience or particular practices of painting. The work is selected anonymously from an open submission by the jury, who also award the main prizes.

There is a first prize of £25000 along with four further prizes, each of £2500. In addition, in celebration of Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture, our popular visitors' choice prize is increased to £2008. This prize will be announced towards the close of the exhibition.

Entrants from the last competition said:
"It is the premier painting competition in the UK"

"Having been selected has already opened doors for me"

"Highly regarded forum for emerging and established artists"

“Most of the contemporary British artists I admire have been in a John Moores exhibition"

“Widely regarded as the best showcase for British contemporary painting"

Jury 2008: Jake and Dinos Chapman, artists; Sacha Craddock, art critic / curator; Graham Crowley, artist; Paul Morrison, artist. Entry: The competition has a two-stage entry procedure. Stage 1 – submission by image (one painting per artist). Stage 2 - sending in shortlisted paintings for final judging.

Key dates: 15 February 2008 - Deadline to register. 29 February 2008 - Deadline for submission of images. 27 to 30 May 2008 - Sending in shortlisted paintings. 20 September 2008 to 4 January 2009 - Exhibition

Prizes: First prize £25000. 4 prizes £2500. 1 visitors’ choice prize £2008.