Individuals and organisations across the Liverpool City Region are being invited to enter the 2024 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards, including two new categories recognising innovation.

Established in 2019 under the Mayor’s 1% for Culture initiative, which commits to invest one per cent of the Combined Authority’s annual budget directly into cultural activities, the awards are in their fifth year of honouring the value and contribution the cultural and creative sectors bring to the region.

Mayor Steve Rotheram with Maleka Egeonu-Roby representing World in One City, winners of last year’s People’s Choice Award.

There are 15 awards up for grabs at the ceremony in St Helens next March, including the People’s Choice Award decided by the public, and awards recognising the Artist or Creative of the Year, the outstanding arts organisation and outstanding achievement.

The Innovation Award and the Innovator Award are new this year and have been specifically created for the fields of technology, business and/or science where creativity has been key in demonstrating innovation.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“It’s that time of the year when we celebrate the awe-inspiring creativity, artistry, and cultural vibrancy that makes our area shine. In the Liverpool City Region, culture is central to our identity; an integral part of what makes our area so vibrant, warm and colourful. We are the home of countless imaginative and creative minds that have made the world laugh, cry, dance and sing in equal measure.

“As Mayor of this fantastic region, it is my responsibility to help build on that legacy, to help ensure we are one of the most vibrant areas to live, work, study, visit, or do business in.

“These awards are one way of saying thank you to the incredible individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to make our region the country’s cultural and creative capital year after year.”

The categories are set to be contested by artists and creatives, volunteer and community groups whose work contributes to the region’s thriving cultural and creative ecosystem.

Cllr Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business said:

“The Liverpool City Region is brimming over with culture and creativity, from small community projects to massive schemes which reach across the world. These awards give us a chance to showcase what our area has to offer.

“The addition of this year’s two new categories gives even more opportunities for people to be recognised for the creative ways they are working across our city region and there’s about six weeks to get your nominations in, you can even put yourself forward – so what are you waiting for!”

The awards’ definition of creativity includes the use of technology, innovation, and science to develop and introduce new ideas, as well as innovative and transformational creative approaches, which is reflected in this year’s new categories.

Make your nomination here!

Sir Phil Redmond, who is on the independent judging panel, said:

“With the Awards now an annual celebration of the creativity and innovation they highlight why the region is such an exciting and innovatory place to live and work.

“Once again, we would like to remind potential entrees that we aim to recognise creativity in all its forms, in the laboratory every bit as much as the stage.  I’d like to encourage individuals and organisations from all sorts of backgrounds to enter the awards so we can see just how innovative people in the city region are in all sectors. We need to recognise and celebrate everyone’s potential to make a real, local, cultural difference.”

The awards ceremony always takes place in the area serving as Borough of Culture. March 2024 will be St Helens’ turn to play host. Nominations can include creative activity that brings people together, in real life or virtually – and self-nominations are allowed!

Professor Kate Royse – Director of the Hartree Centre joined the judging last year and is returning for 2024. She said:

“I’m delighted to welcome the two new categories around innovation as it specifically widens the definition of creativity to include technology, business and science for those who may not initially consider themselves to be in the culture and creativity sector.

“Looking at innovative ways of working, whether that’s coming up with a totally new invention or creating new approaches to tackle issues faced year after year absolutely requires creativity, and I can’t wait to see what the judges will receive.”

Any arts and cultural events, innovation and creative activity that took place within the Liverpool City Region during the period of 29 October 2022 to 27 October 2023 can be entered. Nominations are completed online and the closing date for entrants and nominations is 5pm, on Friday 27 October 2023.

A judging panel will consider all the nominations and choose category winners, while the public will be able to vote for the People’s Choice award.