Sky Arts unearths more of the UK’s breathtaking scenery as the ninth series of Landscape Artist of the Year returns next year

Sky Arts kicks off a fresh search across the UK to discover a new star of landscape painting as Landscape Artist of the Year returns to Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW on 10^th January 2024.  Stephen Mangan returns to host the series solo following Dame Joan Bakewell’s departure from the franchise in the finale of Portrait Artist of the Year’s landmark 10^th series.  

The upcoming series sees a new cohort of landscape artists journey to remarkable locations across the UK. They take on the herculean tasks of painting the medieval cliff-top grounds of Dunnottar Castle, Hever Lake, and Hever Castle - where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood – as well as the charming harbour town of Stonehaven.  

The series also takes residency in Liverpool with artists capturing the bustling Liverpool Docks as well as Liverpool Three Graces - famously named after the goddesses of charm, beauty and creativity.    

The semi-finalists face the unique challenge of capturing the Buckler’s Hard New Forest where history and stunning scenery come together. The three finalists will be transported to the top of the Royal Opera House at night, tasked with capturing Covent Garden in the beating heart of London’s West End. 

As always, in each heat, eight artists will choose their preferred medium to create a plein air painting in just four hours in a bid to be crowned Landscape Artist of the Year. Returning judges, Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan, assess their progress with keen eyes and choose who will advance to the semi-final.  

Joining the artists competing in the heats are 50 eager wildcard entrances – amateur artists who have not made the official contestant list but are still hungry to compete. The judges will assess their work and nominate one wildcard artist each week to go through to the semi-final.  

The eight heat winners and the best wildcard artist compete in the semi-final. From these, three are chosen to compete in the final.  

This season’s Landscape Artist of the Year winner will receive a £10,000 commission from the Science Museum to create an artwork inspired by Orkney, spotlighting the islands’ place at the forefront of pioneering sustainable energy.   

Landscape Artist of the Year was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli. The series is produced by Storyvault Films; Executive Producers are Danielle Graham, Samantha Richards and Stuart Prebble.  

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: “It’s always a joy to watch our beautiful country captured, but the brilliant artists who take part in Landscape Artist of the Year - and watching them all create their work – has to be one of the most relaxing, life affirming and all-round lovely TV experiences you can have. It’s a dose of mental medicine and all for free on Sky Arts.” 

Landscape Artist of the Year will air on Sky Arts, Freeview Channel 36, and streaming service NOW from Wednesday 10^th January. 

About Sky

Sky Arts exists to bring more art to more people across the UK. In 2020, with the creative industries under serious threat, we threw open our doors to make the channel free for everyone to watch. We’ve redoubled our mission to increase access to the arts and we’re committed to getting everyone involved as the industry moves from strength to strength. The fact is, we need the arts like never before, and Sky Arts brings them straight to your living room.

We have something for everyone, championing creative talent by showcasing the best in music, theatre, dance, literature, opera and visual art. From Glyndebourne to Grime and Nina Simone to Noel Gallagher, we’ve got your passions covered. Millions of viewers tune in to hit returning series such as Portrait Artist of the Year and British cultural institution The South Bank Show, but our acclaimed new programmes might take you anywhere from Wordsworth’s favourite landscapes to headbanging at Download Festival.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Sky Arts is the headline sponsor of National Theatre Live in the UK and we work with cultural partners across the country including the English National Opera, Bristol Old Vic, Tate, Creative UK and the Crafts Council to name but a few.

You can watch Sky Arts for free on Freeview channel 36 and Freesat channel 147.  If you’ve got Sky or a Now TV entertainment pass, you can also watch over 2,000 hours of shows exclusively on demand.