PLYMOUTH City Museum and Art Gallery has been shortlisted for a national prize which could see a new contemporary piece of work being added to its collection.

The centre is taking part in Art Fund Collect, an initiative which aims to increase the presence of contemporary art in collections across the country.

Now in its third year, Art Fund Collect offers £75,000 for curators to select and acquire unique work from the Craft Council's international art fair for contemporary objects.

"We are thrilled to have been short-listed for Art Fund Collect this year and to be offered the fantastic opportunity to acquire a piece of high calibre, contemporary craft," said Alison Cooper, assistant keeper of art at the Plymouth gallery.

"Schemes such as Art Fund Collect are crucial for enabling museums and galleries to maintain and develop contemporary craft collections and to acquire works of national and international significance. The Art Fund's continued support of this scheme is most welcome and something that Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery is very pleased to be a part of."

To be in with a chance of scooping part of the fund, Alison and the other shortlisted curators will visit the art fair, which is taking place on May 13, and choose a piece that they would put on display to the public.

A group of judges then examines the choices to decide who will win a share of the £75,000 prize from The Art Fund.