PUBLIC votes are still needed for what could be a major arts event at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.
The museum has been shortlisted to host part of the Museums at Night festival which runs from October 27-29.
Artists have shortlisted the venues they are interested in working with and it is up to members of the public to vote for which artist goes where.
Voting opened at 11am on Friday 29 April at www.museumsatnight.org.uk and voting closes at the end of Friday this week.
The winning partnerships will be announced on Monday 16 May.
The museum has been shortlisted by artist Marcus Coates whose work has previously been shortlisted for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
He is best known for his performances and installations that are oten themed around the world of nature
These have included Goshawk (1999) where Coates was suspended high up in a pine tree in order to view the world as a bird of prey.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is competing against the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle and Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol to win the public vote for Marcus to come and work with them.
Councillor John Kelly, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services, said: “We’ve worked in the past with artists such as Grayson Perry so here’s an opportunity for what could be another very interesting event.
“It’s an honour to have been shortlisted by Marcus as one of the three venues in the country he is interested in working with as part of Museums at Night’s national Connect! competition.
“If we win, Marcus will work with visitors to answer their questions using museum objects to unlock messages from the past.
“We’re hoping he will take inspiration from our Time Machine Gallery.
“It includes objects as diverse as Wallace the lion and a 1920s diving suit sitting alongside more exotic collections, such as exhibits from Egypt, and these all have a real resonance for generations of people in Sunderland.
“Winning a unique national arts event like this would only serve to strengthen the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.
“We need people to get behind Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens by voting for them to win this event for the city. Please don’t forget to vote.”
For further information on Museums at Night Connect! competition:
http://museumsatnight.org.uk/