BA campaign winner to collaborate with Emin

by Lizzie Cox

British Airways (BA) have launched a campaign to find the next Great British artistic talent in collaboration with artist Tracey Emin.

The winning candidate will design livery for 12 BA aircraft in preparation for the 2012 Olympic games, for which BA is the official airline. The aircraft will be used to fly guests and teams to the UK.

Turner Prize-nominated Emin will mentor the winning artist in one-to-one sessions. She said the competition was “a brilliant opportunity to fly the flag and show the rest of the world how truly amazing British art can be”.

The successful candidate will also receive financial aid to support them during the design and development process.

A variety of criteria will be considered — such as passion, creativity, experience and raw talent — by a panel of judges, including Emin and the Royal Academy of Arts.

Great British talents

This is the latest project from the BA Great Britons programme, which was established in 2009 to support both British talent and the airline’s commitment to the Olympic games.

The programme has launched two further competitions this month. The first is an opportunity to work with chef Heston Blumenthal on creating an exclusive in-flight menu and the second to work with Hollywood actor Richard E Grant on the production of a film script.

These productions will then be used on BA flights in the run-up to the Olympic games.

BA’s global sponsorship manager Lucy Fernandez said: “We’re proud to bring the most celebrated British talent together with some of the best up-and-coming British talent in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.”

Applicants must be aged 16 or over, and can apply until July 27, 2011. To apply, visit www.ba.com/greatbritons.