Last awarded in 2004 Animation is an exciting and fast changing area of the arts. Within this computer animation is fast becoming one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creative and technical development from 3D computer animation and digital special effects in feature films and television, to computer games, animated simulation rides and interactive virtual environments. The expansion of the market and application areas of computer animation are predicted to continue an explosive growth well into the century.

This award is designed to ease the financial pressures and constraints experienced by emerging choreographers, to support the choreographer in his / her current practice and research.
Previous choreographers have included Wayne MacGregor and Liv Lorent. The award will be open to choreographers working in any style of dance.

Opera Composition was last awarded in 1998 to two composers Deirdre Gribbin and Paul Clark.

Financial support for poetry is still very difficult for individuals working in this medium. Previous winners of this award has included Alice Oswald and Katrina Porteous.

Product design is an activity that fundamentally shapes our world and influences the processes of change. With many UK design graduates and not so many opportunities for getting into an established company in starting independently is often the way forward in this area. The Foundation puts product design in their spotlight for 2012.

Now in it's second year, the Sculpture award is funded by the Yoma Sasburg Estate and includes all areas of sculptural practice.

The Judges which have been confirmed so far are as follows:

Marie McCluskey MBE : Founder and Artistic Director of Swindon Dance and Creative Studio.
Kevin O'Hare : Director of the Royal Ballet
Alistair Spalding : Artistic Director of Sadlers Wells

Daniel Charny : Independent curator, designer and lecturer
Michelle Ogundehin : Editor of Elle-Deco
Deyan Sudjic OBE : Director of the Design Museum, London

Dominic Gray : Project Director of Opera North
Jonathan Reekie : Chief Executive of Aldeburgh Music
Judith Weir : Composer and librettist

James Lingwood : Co-Director of Artangel
Alison Wilding : Sculptor
Jackie Wullschlager : Arts Correspondent for the Financial Times

Bill Herbert : Poet and Head of Creative Writing at Newcastle University
Jamie McKendrick : Author of five collections of poetry
Fiona Sampson : Poet, journalist and Editor of Poetry Review

Maggie Ellis : Head of Production at Film London
Daniel Greaves : Filmaker and Creative Director at Tandem Films
Clare Kitson : Clare's latest book British animation: The Channel 4 factor is soon to be published by Parliament Hill Publishing.