The Bank of England said on Tuesday that British citizens would, for the first time, help determine the historical figure—this time a creative figure—whose portrait would appear on the next version of the £20 banknote.
The bank periodically changes the portraits on its notes. Controversy arose in 2013 when Winston Churchill was chosen to replace the 19th-century social reformer Elizabeth Fry on the £5 note, raising concerns that no woman other than Queen Elizabeth II would appear on future notes.
One of Mark Carney’s first public decisions after becoming Bank of England governor in July 2013 was to announce that novelist Jane Austen would appear on the £10 note from 2017. Making the bank more transparent was one of his main objectives.
Carney said the bank would invite the public to nominate British artists, craftspeople, designers, or filmmakers they would like to see on the £20 note, which currently features economist Adam Smith.
Speaking at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Carney said the design of banknotes should command respect and legitimacy and be inspiring.
Members of the public can nominate deceased British artists through the bank’s website until July 19. A committee of bank officials and art experts will decide early the following year.