There will be a shake up taking place for the annual Charman Prize, Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art have announced.

Instead of being held each year, the prize for visual artists will now be awarded on a biennial basis.

Founder and art benefactor John Charman, along with Masterworks, felt the change was in the best interest of the art community and would also help to maintain the prestige of the prize itself.

“Some artists had expressed that they felt pressure in trying to produce their best work for submission to the Charman Prize every year, coupled with their desire to enter the Bermuda National Gallery’s Biennial as well,” said a Masterworks spokeswoman.

“We believe the new format will provide the artists the luxury of time to produce well thought-out and well-executed submissions.

“Mr Charman hopes that the standard of each artists work — whether professional or amateur — will rise to a higher level of excellence given the additional time.”

Due to the adjustment, the next Charman prize will be held in October 2015.

The spokeswoman said the format would remain the same as in previous years, while the theme will be announced at a later stage.

Useful website: www.bermudamasterworks.com