Press releases

Well over two hundred entries flooded in from all over the world to meet yesterday’s deadline for the landmark east ideas competition.

The competition, to stimulate ideas for a major landmark in the East of England, has attracted a wide range of entries from a variety of sources including individual artists, husband and wife teams, students and established organisations.  Ideas have come in from the region, rest of the UK, Europe, US and as far afield as Australia, and cover a wide range of interests including environment, energy, entertainment, transport, technology and education.

The landmark east ideas competition was launched by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) in October 2003 and invited ideas for sustainable landmarks that would attract significant funding and bring long-term economic benefit for the region.

Yasmin Shariff, a member of the landmark east judging panel and board member of the East of England Development Agency said:

“It is fantastic to know that the competition has captured the imagination of so many people, in the region as well as further afield.  This is a really exciting opportunity for the East of England.  We don’t know the details of the entries yet but we do know that there is a huge variety of high quality entries that will ensure a challenging day for the judges next Tuesday.”

The first stage judging – when the judges will agree a short-list of twelve entries - takes place on Tuesday 24 February.  The short-listed entries will be announced on Wednesday 25 February.  These entries will then be the focus for internet-led public consultation at www.landmarkeast.org.uk before the final judging on 30 March.

The judges will announce up to three winners on 31 March.  The winners will share a total of £250,000 to fund feasibility studies, essentially first stage funding to help develop their ideas further. Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study, EEDA may provide further funds to assist with the early stage development of the idea(s). Thereafter (and depending on the size or magnitude of the idea), the project promoters will be expected to embark on longer term fundraising with EEDA’s assistance where appropriate.

Ends

Further information:
Cheryl Martin/Marcie Bell
Omobono
Tel: 01223 307000

Notes to editors:

1. The East of England Development Agency is: The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

2. The judging panel will be chaired by Anthea Case, former chief executive, Heritage Lottery Fund and includes: Helaine Blumenfeld, artist/sculptor; EEDA’s new chief executive David Marlow, Yasmin Shariff, EEDA board member; Professor Sir David King, chief scientific advisor to the Government; Tim Bishop, head of regional programming, BBC East; Bill Macnaught, Head of Cultural Development, Gateshead Council; Alex Lifschutz, Lifschutz Davidson and Simon Loftus, chair of the Business in the Community leadership group.  For a full list of judges with biographies visit  www.landmarkeast.org.uk

3. The landmark east ideas competition is administered by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). If you have an administrative enquiry please call: RIBA Competitions Office on: 0113 234 1335 or go to: www.ribacompetitions.com 

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