Best of Manchester shortlist

If you want to know who the future luminaries of the city's creative scenes will be, the Best of Manchester Awards are a good place to look. Set up by Urbis to give some proper recognition to the people doing interesting, inspiring things in the worlds of art, fashion and music, they aim to act as a filter that sorts out the followers from the innovators.

Industry experts including Peter Saville, music journalist Miranda Sawyer, and Turner-prize winning artist Jeremy Deller, whittled down the 250 entries to just nine finalists. The three winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Urbis on 23 July, and all the shortlisted and specially commended contenders will feature in The Best of Manchester exhibition which will run from 24 July-20 September at Urbis.

Here's a run-down of who the nine finalists are, and what they've done to impress the panel.

Art

Alice Bradshaw has been shortlisted for her part in the art collective, Contents May Vary. This group of MMU Fine Art graduates has staged innovative exhibitions and contributed to events including Artranspennine08, the Northern Art Prize and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. Bradshaw was also shortlisted for HONK, a touring exhibition that featured animation, drawing and performance, where the 'gallery' was the back of a white van.

Rachel Goodyear was shortlisted for a portfolio of beautiful yet unsettling pencil and watercolour drawings. Goodyear has recently exhibited at Cornerhouse in Manchester and as part of Liverpool Biennial at Tate Liverpool in 2008. Her work shows great technical skill but it was her interest in creating discomforting, ambiguous narratives which drew particular praise from the judges.

The judges also awarded special commendations to Nick Jordan who, with fellow artist and collaborator Jacob Cartwright, was an artist research fellow at Manchester Museum. Maurice Carlin, an artist who founded the Islington Mill Art Academy and co-founded the Sounds from the Other City festival was also given a special commendation.

Music

Jayne Compton was shortlisted for several projects including long-running experimental club night, Club Brenda, her Switchflicker Records label (which launched the Ting Tings with 'That’s Not My Name') and an upcoming Arts Council book, Strange Trees.

Natalie Curtis was shortlisted for a photography portfolio that includes portraits of bands such as Doves, the Paris Riots and Silversun Pickups. Her quiet documentary style has lead to a series of startlingly warm and intimate shots – and was singled out by the judges for its freshness and direct approach.

Max Moran was shortlisted for work that includes the video-based music blog, ThisTownSounds.com, which premiered White Lies’ first ever filmed interview, and early performances from the likes of Florence & The Machine. Moran has also been recognised for his sell-out club night, Hot Club, its laid back sister session, Hat Club and, more recently, his burgeoning record label, Hit Club.

The music judges also awarded special commendations to Paddy Steer, an ‘unsung hero’ according to one of the panel, for his contribution to the Manchester music scene over the past 25 years. Classical composer Joe Duddell who has curated (and will conduct) the Elbow and Hallé Orchestra performances at the Manchester International Festival also got a special commendation.

Fashion

Paul Griffiths was nominated for his shop and clothing label Babycakes, which is already a smash hit, despite being only two-years-old. The shop's opening in Manchester was met with a 400-strong queue, while Babycakes' limited edition t-shirt designs regularly sell out within hours of their launch. Babycakes plans to open London and Los Angeles outlets in early 2010.

Holly Russell is an alumnus of Manchester School of Art whose shimmering, stunning graduate collection features hundreds of hand-sewn scarab beetle wings. Hugely ambitious but with a realistic approach to the fashion industry, Russell hopes to take up an MA in Fashion Womenswear at the renowned Royal College of Art.

Katie Webb is another Manchester School of Art alumni. Her understated, architectural collection is a stark contrast to Russell’s, featuring neutral colours and luxe fabrics such as leather, cashmere and silk. The judges highlighted Webb’s minimalist designs and technical skills, as well as her environmental awareness.

The fashion judges also awarded a special commendation to Jen Scott-Russell, the milliner who runs the successful Northern Quarter-based shop, H’atelier.