Liverpool City Region is a thriving place for culture and creativity and we want to celebrate this. Created by the LCR Combined Authority the winners of the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards will be announced on 19thFebruary 2021 as part of an exciting online event.
What we mean by culture and creativity?
Culture is not just something done by professionals for audiences – it is any creative activity that brings people together within their communities, whether real or virtual. It includes voluntary and community based social activity, researchers and businesses who use creative approaches that are innovative and transformational, as well as those involved in the creation and delivery of professional arts and cultural events and performances. Nominations for these awards can include an individual, organisation, business, group or partnership that, has demonstrated outstanding creative achievement through cultural activity at a local, Borough or Liverpool City Region level.
Why are we doing them?
Part of the Metro Mayor’s Percent for Culture initiative, the awards were created to recognise the value and power for change that the arts, cultural and creative sector can bring in reinforcing the City Region as one of the most vibrant and exciting places to live, work, study, visit or do business.
As we are all aware, the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the cultural/creative sector and is still proving to be challenging. However, despite the adversity many individuals, organisations and communities have responded positively, finding new and innovative ways to produce and create work and it is in this spirit that we want to acknowledge the value and importance of arts, culture and creativity and what it can do even in the most trying of times.
We are introducing two new categories this year, to recognise this special contribution:
- Covid-19 Creative Response (organisation)
- Covid-19 Creative Response (individual)
Who can apply in each category? Nominees must live, study and/or work in the Liverpool City Region (eg Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) or have created work / projects that significantly benefit the residents or visitors to the LCR and / or has positively contributed to the development of the economy of the LCR.
The 2020 awards will recognise arts and cultural events, innovative and creative activity that has taken place within the Liverpool City Region during the period 1st April 2019 to 12th November 2020.
What do the winners get?
The awards ceremony on Friday 19th February 2021 will be a virtual event, to celebrate the achievement of the finalists and announce the overall winner of each category. This year everyone is invited and we will be announcing an exciting public participation competition with prizes for the winners. Winners will receive our beautiful LCR Culture & Creativity award.
LCR Culture and Creativity Awards Finalists…
The People’s Choice – For Outstanding Contribution to Culture
The People’s Choice Award is decided by the public, chosen from a shortlist of individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to culture over a sustained period.
The Finalists are:
- BlackFest
- Gaynor La Rocca – Imaginarium Theatre
- Milap
- The Atkinson.
- Bill Elms – Liverpool Theatre Festival
- Writing on The Wall
Artist of the Year
The Finalists are:
- Jubeda Khatun
- Paul Curtis
- Luke Stephenson
Arts Organisation of the Year
The Finalists are:
- Writing On The Wall
- 20 Stories High
- Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF)
Student Inspiration Award
The Finalists are:
- Michael Aldag
- Zeena Begum
- Amber Akaunu
Impact Award – Health & Wellbeing
The Finalists are:
- The Reader
- Katumba Drumming
- Liverpool Philharmonic
Impact Award – Environmental Sustainability
The Finalists are:
- Metal Liverpool & Shrinking Space
- Wirral Environmental Network
- Friends of Princes Avenue
Impact Award – Improving Education & Learning
The Finalists are:
- dot-art Schools
- Mako Create
- Savera UK Youth
Impact Award – Improving Community Cohesion
The Finalists are:
- LCR Pride Foundation
- Wirral Multicultural Organisation
- Liverpool Irish Centre
Impact Award – International Reach
The Finalists are:
- Brazilica Festival
- National Museums Liverpool: House of Memories International Project Team
- Milap
Impact Award – Future World of Work
The Finalists are:
- Elaine McNeill – Liverpool School of Art and Design
- #Home Not Alone – collaborative project with Sandfield Park School internship team, Liverpool City Council Intern-to-work and Growing Happy
- Miguel Doforo – MD Creatives
Impact Award – Sustainable Business in Arts
The Finalists are:
- Baltic Creative Community Interest Company
- dot-art
- Tmesis Theatre
Impact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (individual)
The Finalists are:
- Clare Brumby/Salt Act
- Bill Elms
- Jennifer John/Love Sings
Impact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (organisation)
The Finalists are:
- Garston Adventure Playground
- The Atkinson
- Writing on the Wall
Borough of Culture ‘Star of the Year’
The Finalists are:
- Illuminos – Rob & Matt Vale
- Paul Curtis
- Claire Morgans – Ykids
Inspiration Award
This award is to celebrate and recognise an individual’s lifelong creative contribution to the Liverpool City Region.