YORK Art Gallery has been shortlisted to receive £50,000 funding.

It is one of ten museums and galleries in the UK now in the running to spend a share of the money on contemporary craft at Collect 2008 - the international art fair for contemporary objects.

It is part of The Art Fund's new initiative, Art Fund Collect, launched in November 2007.

Helen Walsh, assistant curator of decorative arts at York Art Gallery, said: "We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Art Fund Collect initiative. York Museums Trust holds one of the most important ceramics collections in the UK and across our collections we have over 11,000 pots.

"A significant work of contemporary craft at Collect 2008 would make a fantastic statement showing our commitment to continuing to develop our contemporary craft collections and our willingness to support makers and offer visitors the opportunity to see new work.

"We are hoping to acquire a really stunning and show-stopping piece that will reflect the hopes and aspirations for the future of our collection."

A total of 23 galleries and museums from across the country applied, and now ten have the chance to select one significant contemporary craft object for their collection during a special pre-VIP preview.

Each museum will submit its choice of object by 1pm on January 24 to a committee, which will then choose the winners that will share the £50,000 fund.