Stirling’s Albert Halls was last week announced as the venue of The SAY Award Ceremony – the most exciting night in Scotland’s musical calendar – for the third consecutive year.
The SAY Award Design Commission selects an artist or designer to create bespoke prizes for the winning artists at the ceremony to highlight the enduring links between music, art and design in Scotland.
As part of The SAY Award’s partnership with Stirling, the artist or designer selected for this year’s commission will once again be based in the Stirling Council area.
The commissioned artist or designer will be tasked with designing an award with sustainability at its forefront. These will be handed out on the night to Scotland’s most outstanding musical talent including nine awards for 2024’s Shortlist and a bespoke award for The SAY Award winner. The artist will also create prizes for the Modern Scottish Classic Award and Sound of Young Scotland Award.
Last year’s commissioned artist, Stuart Blackman of Brutal Concrete Workshop, created a number of sculptures from cement-free concrete. Stirling based studio Art Futuro created 2022’s award – a natural slate veneer trophy, which also functions as a high-end Bluetooth speaker.
Expressions of interest for this unique creative design commission are open until midnight Monday 29 July. To enter, please visit: www.sayaward.com/designcommission
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Stirling’s artists and makers to showcase their work to a wide audience, from Scotland’s music industry to the national media.
“There will also be an extra focus on Stirling this year as we celebrate our 900th anniversary, and we know that Stirling’s rich history, creative spirit and stunning landscapes have inspired a diverse range of artists.
“Stirling boasts a thriving creative scene filled with many talented individuals so we expect there to be a lot of interest in securing The SAY Award Design Commission.
“Based on the high-quality and innovative creations from previously commissioned artists, I’m excited to see the submitted entries over the coming weeks.”
The SAY Design Commission offers a fee of £2,500 for the design and manufacture of the awards. In addition, the artist/designer who secures the commission will receive a month-long exhibition at The Tolbooth Gallery in February 2025.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: "Each year, The SAY Award Design Commission selects an artist/maker to design and produce our bespoke prizes and we're thrilled that once again, we're able to offer this opportunity to a Stirling based creative. Amidst Stirling's 900th anniversary celebrations, it seems fitting that we're able to spotlight a local artist and present their work to a huge audience across the UK.
"2023's stunning cement-free concrete sculptures by Brutal Concrete Workshop found a home with some of Scotland's biggest artists - including SAY Award winners Young Fathers, Modern Scottish Classic Award winner Paolo Nutini and many more.
“The Design Commission is a unique opportunity to have your art become a crucial part of Scottish music history, weaving a connection between music, art and design once more. With sustainability once again at the forefront of the design brief, we're excited to see a brand new concept for 2024's prizes."
Artists, labels and music fans can now submit eligible albums, for free, at www.sayaward.com until 31 July
Early bid tickets for The SAY Award ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October are now also available via: www.sayaward.com