University to showcase finest work from Muslim artists in new exhibition

The University's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology is partnering with MacFest (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival) to raise the visibility of and showcase the work of Muslim artists by helping the festival launch its inaugural Muslim Arts Awards.

The awards received 40 submissions from artists across the North West with each submitting up to three artworks for consideration across calligraphy, drawing, painting and photography. A total of 23 artworks have been selected for entry into the competition in its first year.

All finalists will be featured in a public exhibition in the Atrium of the New Adelphi Building from Thursday 14 November ahead of an awards evening on Thursday 21 November at Manchester Hall. The exhibition will be open to the public until Friday 29 November.

Sam Ingleson, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement at the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, Paul Vivian, Director of Art and Design & Brendan Fletcher, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for BA Fine Art were part of the eight-person judging panel for the awards.

Since 2017, MacFest has showcased the outstanding talents of Muslim communities across Greater Manchester and the wider North West and has held over 85 events in person and online.

The multi-award-winning festival has just finished its seventh year and is run by Qaisra Shahraz MBE FRSA, a Salford alumna, who is a critically acclaimed novelist, educationist and a prize-winning gender and peace activist.

We are very pleased to help Qaisra achieve her vision for the awards this year and support her aspirations for it to lead to an international art prize in the coming years.