Each year the Turner Prize jury shortlist four artists for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation.

Key Things to Know

photograph of artists Anish Kapoor standing next to a giant circular sculpture

Anish Kapoor with his 1992 Turner Prize installation
© Tate Photography, Marcus Leith

The Turner Prize exhibition isn't always in London

Every other year, a venue outside Tate Britain, London hosts the prize. Previous galleries include Tate Liverpool, Baltic in Newcastle, Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, Ebrington in Derry~Londonderry and at Turner Contemporary in Margate. The 2021 Turner Prize is hosted by Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

The Turner Prize is in its thirties

The prize was first awarded in 1984. It was founded by a group called the Patrons of New Art under the directorship of Alan Bowness. They formed to encourage wider interest in contemporary art and assist Tate in acquiring new works. They felt that Britain should have its own award for visual arts, an equivalent to the Booker Prize.

It's given to 'a British Artist'

The Turner Prize is awarded to a British artist. ‘British’ can mean an artist working primarily in Britain or an artist born in Britain working globally.

The prize focuses on their recent developments in British art rather than a lifetime's achievement.

There is an independent panel of judges each year

Tate selects a new panel every year. The panel includes gallery directors, curators, critics and writers. At least one member is from abroad. This balances those who focus on British art or who work in Britain with those who see British art in a broader context.

The jury isn't paid but get a small amount to cover expenses.

The 2021 jury are:

  • Aaron Cezar, Director, Delfina Foundation
  • Kim McAleese, Programme Director, Grand Union
  • Russell Tovey, Actor
  • Zoé Whitley, Director, Chisenhale Gallery

The jury is chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain.

Its name comes from J.M.W. Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps’ exhibited 1812
Joseph Mallord William Turner
Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps exhibited 1812
Tate

The nineteenth-century artist J.M.W. Turner was a figure who had been innovative and controversial in his own day. One critic commented that his work Schloss Rosenau was 'the product of a diseased eye and a reckless hand.' Today he is considered to be one of the greatest British artists. Turner had wanted to establish a prize for young artists himself.

The prize has no age limit

But this wasn't always the case. In 1991–2016 the prize had an age limit of 50. This played an important role in introducing the work of emerging artists. The lift of the age restriction recognises that artists can experience a breakthrough in their work at any age.

The award is £40,000

£25,000 goes to the winner and £5,000 each goes to the other shortlisted artists.

The jury decides the winner on the day of the announcement

The decision is made through a series of discussions until they arrive at a consensus. This year's Turner Prize will be broadcast live on the BBC on 1 December 2021.

A celebrity presents the prize

Previous presenters have included Richard Attenborough, Paul Smith, Nick Cave, Yoko Ono, Mario Testino and Madonna.
Howard Hodgkin receiving the prize from Sir Richard Attenborough © Tate Photography

Howard Hodgkin receiving the prize from Sir Richard Attenborough © Tate Photography

Tomma Abts receiving the 2006 prize from Yoko Ono 

Tomma Abts receiving the 2006 prize from Yoko Ono © Ralf Marriot

Winners of the Turner Prize

2020

The 2020 exhibition was cancelled due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus.

One-off bursaries of £10,000 were awarded to 10 artists instead. Find out more about the bursaries.

2019

Shortlisted artists:

  • Lawrence Abu Hamdan
  • Helen Cammock
  • Oscar Murillo
  • Tai Shani

Winner

  • For the first time ever, the award has been given to a collective bringing together the four nominated artists.

2018

Shortlisted artists:

  • Forensic Architecture

  • Naeem Mohaiemen

  • Charlotte Prodger

  • Luke Willis Thompson

Winner: Charlotte Prodger

Find out more about the winning artist.

2017

Shortlisted artists:

  • Hurvin Anderson
  • Andrea Büttner
  • Lubaina Himid
  • Rosalind Nashashibi

Winner: Lubaina Himid

Find out more about the winning artist.

2016

Shortlisted artists:

  • Michael Dean
  • Anthea Hamilton
  • Helen Marten
  • Josephine Pryde

Winner: Helen Marten

Find out more about the winning artist.

2015

Shortlisted artists:

  • Assemble
  • Bonnie Camplin
  • Janice Kerbel
  • Nicole Wermers

Winner: Assemble

Find out more about the winning artist.

2014

Shortlisted artists:

  • Duncan Campbell
  • Ciara Phillips
  • James Richards
  • Tris Vonna-Michell

Winner: Duncan Campbell

Find out more about the winning artist.

2013

Shortlisted artists:

  • Laure Prouvost
  • Tino Sehgal
  • David Shrigley
  • Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

Winner: Laure Prouvost

Find out more about the winning artist.

2012

Shortlisted artists:

  • Spartacus Chetwynd
  • Luke Fowler
  • Paul Noble
  • Elizabeth Price

Winner: Elizabeth Price

Find out more about the winning artist.

2011

Shortlisted artists:

  • Karla Black
  • Martin Boyce
  • Hilary Lloyd
  • George Shaw

Winner: Martin Boyce

Find out more about the winning artist.

2010

Shortlisted artists:

  • Dexter Dalwood
  • Angela de la Cruz
  • Susan Philipsz
  • The Otolith Group

Winner: Susan Philipsz

Find out more about the winning artist.

2009

Shortlisted artists:

  • Enrico David
  • Roger Hiorns
  • Lucy Skaer
  • Richard Wright

Winner: Richard Wright

Find out more about the winning artist.

2008

Shortlisted artists:

  • Runa Islam
  • Mark Leckey
  • Goshka Macuga
  • Cathy Wilkes

Winner: Mark Leckey

Find out more about the winning artist.

2007

Shortlisted artists:

  • Zarina Bhimji
  • Nathan Coley
  • Mike Nelson
  • Mark Wallinger

Winner: Mark Wallinger

Find out more about the winning artist.

2006

Shortlisted artists:

  • Tomma Abts
  • Phil Collins
  • Mark Titchner
  • Rebecca Warren

Winner: Tomma Abts

Find out more about the winning artist.

2005

Shortlisted artists:

  • Darren Almond
  • Gillian Carnegie
  • Jim Lambie
  • Simon Starling

Winner: Simon Starling

Find out more about the winning artist.

2004

Shortlisted artists:

  • Kutlug Ataman
  • Jeremy Deller
  • Langlands and Bell
  • Yinka Shonibare

Winner: Jeremy Deller

Find out more about the winning artist.

2003

Shortlisted artists:

  • Jake and Dinos Chapman
  • Willie Doherty
  • Anya Gallaccio
  • Grayson Perry

Winner: Grayson Perry

Find out more about the winning artist.

2002

Shortlisted artists:

  • Fiona Banner
  • Liam Gillick
  • Keith Tyson
  • Catherine Yass

Winner: Keith Tyson

Find out more about the winning artist.

2001

Shortlisted artists:

  • Richard Billingham
  • Martin Creed
  • Isaac Julien
  • Mike Nelson

Winner: Martin Creed

Find out more about the winning artist.

2000

Shortlisted artists:

  • Glenn Brown
  • Michael Raedecker
  • Tomoko Takahashi
  • Wolfgang Tillmans

Winner: Wolfgang Tillmans

Find out more about the winning artist.

1999

Shortlisted artists:

  • Tracey Emin
  • Steve McQueen
  • Steven Pippin
  • Jane and Louise Wilson

Winner: Steve McQueen

Find out more about the winning artist.

1998

Shortlisted artists:

  • Tacita Dean
  • Cathy de Monchaux
  • Chris Ofili
  • Sam Taylor-Wood

Winner: Chris Ofili

Find out more about the winning artist.

1997

Shortlisted artists:

  • Christine Borland
  • Angela Bulloch
  • Cornelia Parker
  • Gillian Wearing

Winner: Gillian Wearing

Find out more about the winning artist.

1996

Shortlisted artists:

  • Douglas Gordon
  • Craigie Horsfield
  • Gary Hume
  • Simon Patterson

Winner: Douglas Gordon

Find out more about the winning artist.

1995

Shortlisted artists:

  • Mona Hatoum
  • Damien Hirst
  • Callum Innes
  • Mark Wallinger

Winner: Damien Hirst

Find out more about the winning artist.

1994

Shortlisted artists:

  • Willie Doherty
  • Peter Doig
  • Antony Gormley
  • Shirazeh Houshiary

Winner: Antony Gormley

Find out more about the winning artist.

1993

Shortlisted artists:

  • Hannah Collins
  • Vong Phaophanit
  • Sean Scully
  • Rachel Whiteread

Winner: Rachel Whiteread

Find out more about the winning artist.

1992

Shortlisted artists:

  • Grenville Davey
  • Damien Hirst
  • David Tremlett
  • Alison Wilding

Winner: Grenville Davey

Find out more about the winning artist.

1991

Shortlisted artists:

  • Ian Davenport
  • Anish Kapoor
  • Fiona Rae
  • Rachel Whiteread

Winner: Anish Kapoor

Find out more about the winning artist.

1990

No prize

1989

Shortlisted artists:

  • Gillian Ayres
  • Lucian Freud
  • Richard Long
  • Giuseppe Penone
  • Paula Rego
  • Sean Scully
  • Richard Wilson

Winner: Richard Long

Find out more about the winning artist.

1988

Shortlisted artists:

  • Tony Cragg
  • Lucian Freud
  • Richard Hamilton
  • Richard Long
  • David Mach
  • Boyd Webb
  • Alison Wilding
  • Richard Wilson

Winner: Tony Cragg

Find out more about the winning artist.

1987

Shortlisted artists:

  • Patrick Caulfield
  • Helen Chadwick
  • Richard Deacon
  • Richard Long
  • Declan McGonagle
  • Thérèse Oulton

Winner: Richard Deacon

Find out more about the winning artist.

1986

Shortlisted artists:

  • Art & Language
  • Victor Burgin
  • Gilbert & George
  • Derek Jarman
  • Stephen McKenna
  • Bill Woodrow

Commended:

  • Nicholas Serota
  • Matthew Collings
  • Robin Klassnik

Winner: Gilbert & George

Find out more about the winning artist.

1985

Shortlisted artists:

  • Terry Atkinson
  • Tony Cragg
  • Ian Hamilton Finlay
  • Milena Kalinovska
  • Howard Hodgkin
  • John Walker

Winner: Howard Hodgkin

Find out more about the winning artist.

1984

Shortlisted artists:

  • Richard Deacon
  • Gilbert & George
  • Richard Long
  • Malcolm Morley

Winner: Malcolm Morley

Find out more about the winning artist.

Turner Prize Year by Year

Left Right
  • Photograph of the outside of Herbert Art Gallery and Museum taken at night

    Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2021

    29 Sep 2021 – 12 Jan 2022

    One of the best-known prizes for visual arts comes to Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

    Free
  • Tate Britain entrance

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2020

    30 September 2020 – 3 January 2021

    The prestigious prize for contemporary art returns to Tate Britain

    Cancelled
  • Turner Contemporary building exterior

    Turner Contemporary
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2019

    28 Sep 2019 – 12 Jan 2020

    One of the best-known prizes for visual arts in the world comes to Turner Contemporary

  • blue gridded artwork showing a police camera still, a man carrying a person through and airport, a close up of pins on huan skin

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2018

    26 Sep 2018 – 6 Jan 2019

    One of the best-known prizes for visual arts in the world

  • Colour photograph of the entrance of Ferens art gallery

    Ferens Art Gallery
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2017

    26 Sep 2017 – 7 Jan 2018

    Discover the work of 2017 Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid and the other three artists shortlisted

  • Turner Prize 2016 banner

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2016

    27 Sep 2016 – 2 Jan 2017

    Discover the work of 2016 Turner Prize winner Helen Marten and the other three artists shortlisted

  • Turner Prize

    Other Venue
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2015

    1 Oct 2015 – 17 Jan 2016

    The Turner Prize 2015 was awarded to Assemble. The £25,000 prize was presented by artist, musician and songwriter, Kim Gordon …

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2014

    30 Sep 2014 – 4 Jan 2015

    Celebrating its 30th year, the winner of the Turner Prize 2014 was Duncan Campbell. The award was presented by actor Chiwetel Ejiofor 

  • Turner Prize

    Other Venue
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2013

    23 Oct 2013 – 5 Jan 2014

    The Turner Prize 2013 was awarded to Laure Prouvost

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2012

    2 Oct 2012 – 6 Jan 2013

    This year's prize was awarded to Elizabeth Price. The prize was presented by Jude Law

  • Turner Prize

    Other Venue
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2011

    21 Oct 2011 – 8 Jan 2012

    The Turner Prize 2011 was awarded to Martin Boyce by photographer Mario Testino. This was the first Prize to be presented …

  • Turner Prize 2010

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2010

    5 Oct 2010 – 3 Jan 2011

    The Turner Prize 2010 was awarded to Susan Philipsz and the prize was presented by Miuccia Prada

  • Turner Prize 2009

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2009

    6 Oct 2009 – 3 Jan 2010

    The winner of the Turner Prize 2009 was Richard Wright. Poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy presented the artist with the …

  • Turner Prize 2008

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2008

    13 Sep 2008 – 18 Jan 2009

    The winner of the Turner Prize 2008 was Mark Leckey. Nick Cave presented the artist with the £25,000 prize

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Liverpool
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2007

    19 Oct 2007 – 13 Jan 2008

    The Turner Prize 2007 has been awarded to Mark Wallinger and was presented to the artist by Dennis Hopper

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2006

    3 Oct 2006 – 14 Jan 2007

    The Turner Prize 2006 was awarded to Tomma Abts at Tate Britain on 4 December 2006. The £25,000 prize was …

  • Turner Prize 2005

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2005

    18 Oct 2005 – 22 Jan 2006

    The Turner Prize 2005 was awarded to Simon Starling. Culture Minister David Lammy presented the artist with the £25,000 prize

  • Turner Prize 2004

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2004

    20 Oct – 28 Dec 2004

    The Turner Prize 2004 was awarded to Jeremy Deller 

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2003

    29 Oct 2003 – 18 Jan 2004

    The Turner Prize 2003 was awarded to Grayson Perry. The £20,000 prize was presented by the artist Sir Peter Blake

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2002

    30 Oct 2002 – 5 Jan 2003

    The Turner Prize 2002 was awarded to Keith Tyson

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2001

    7 Nov 2001 – 20 Jan 2002

    The Turner Prize 2001 was awarded to Martin Creed. The £20,000 prize was presented to the artist by Madonna

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 2000

    25 Oct 2000 – 14 Jan 2001

    Wolfgang Tillmans has been awarded the Turner Prize 2000. The £20,000 prize was presented to the artist by the …

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1999

    20 Oct 1999 – 23 Jan 2000

    Steve McQueen was awarded the Turner Prize 1999 and he recieved the £20,000 prize on 30 November

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1998

    28 Oct 1998 – 10 Jan 1999

    The Turner Prize 1998 was awarded to Chris Ofili

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1997

    29 Oct 1997 – 18 Jan 1998

    Gillian Wearing was the winner of the Turner Prize 1997

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1996

    29 Oct 1996 – 12 Jan 1997

    Douglas Gordon won the Turner Prize 1996. It was the first time the prize was awarded to an artist …

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1995

    1 Nov – 3 Dec 1995

    Damien Hirst won the Turner Prize 1995

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1994

    2 Nov – 4 Dec 1994

    Antony Gormley won the Turner Prize 1994

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1993

    3–28 Nov 1993

    Rachel Whiteread was the winner of the Turner Prize 1993

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1992

    4–29 Nov 1992

    Grenville Davey was the winner of the Turner Prize 1992

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1991

    6 Nov – 8 Dec 1991

    The Turner Prize 1991 was awarded to Anish Kapoor

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1990

    1–30 Nov 1990

    The Turner Prize was suspended this year

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1989

    1 Jan – 31 Dec 1989

    Richard Long was awarded the Turner Prize 1989

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1988

    1 Jan – 31 Dec 1988

    Tony Cragg was awarded the Turner Prize 1988

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1987

    24 Nov 1987

    Richard Deacon received the Turner Prize 1987

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1986

    14–25 Nov 1986

    Gilbert & George won the Turner Prize 1986

  • Turner Prize

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1985

    12 Nov 1985

    Howard Hodgkin was the winner of the Turner Prize 1985

  • Turner Prize 1984

    Tate Britain
    Exhibition

    Turner Prize 1984

    1–30 Nov 1984

    Malcolm Morley was the winner of the first Turner Prize, held in 1984

Image credit: Martin Creed Work No. 944 2008 © Martin Creed