Due to a generous donation by Professor Martin Johnson, Christ's is delighted to announce that the theme of this year’s competition is ‘Gratitude’.

Events of the last couple of years mean that we value the community that is Christ’s College more than ever. As variants of the virus come and go, College has kept going, and kept us all going, offering a safe haven in a world of uncertainty. And we have a lot to thank Christ’s for – whether that be specific individuals or something less tangible. As Wild in Art said about its recent public art installation of the same name, 'Gratitude … honoured and paid tribute to the ongoing courage and dedication of NHS Staff and all key workers during the pandemic and captured the extraordinary experiences that have connected us through these most challenging of times.’ What should a more local, Christ’s-based ‘thank you’ look like?

The competition is open to all current members of the College (staff, students and Fellows). Entries can take any form (from portrait and group portrait through narrative panels, sculpture, film and abstract work) and any medium, and should be accompanied by a brief explanation of how they address the theme and where in College (e.g. the Hall, Upper Hall, Buttery, Library Corridor and so on) they might practically be exhibited. 

The deadline for submission of entries will be 6pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022. To enter the competition, please e-mail a high resolution photograph of your work, its medium, dimensions, title, and rationale of fit in terms of theme and possible display to Professor Carrie Vout (cv103@cam.ac.uk) by this date.  Short-listed entries must then be delivered to Professor Vout c/o Clare Kitcat in O1 of First Court by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 10 May 2022, with the winner and a runner up being notified before the end of Easter full term.  A prize of £350 will be awarded to the winner, and £100 to the runner-up. The judging panel will consist of the members of the College’s Visual Arts Committee.