The deadline for nominations for the 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards has been extended to Monday 16 November, to ensure as many nominations as possible in what has been a tough year for the sector.

Nearly 450 nominations have been received so far, more than the total for last year’s inaugural awards, in a huge show of support for the cultural sector, which has suffered a massive impact in the face of Covid-19.  The deadline has been extended to enable as many people to nominate and show their support as possible.

Two new award categories have been created to celebrate those who have found new and innovative ways to be creative during this difficult year. These new awards – Covid-19 Creative Response (organisation) and Covid-19 Creative Response (individual) – are to recognise and acknowledge individuals and organisations who have used culture and creativity to make a significant impact on people’s lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ian Maher, The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and The Visitor Economy at the Combined Authority and Leader of Sefton Council said:

“We are welcoming entries from all over the city region and proud to be involved especially in this, Sefton’s year as Borough of Culture. The fact that we’ve already seen so many nominations just shows how important this sector is to our lives, particularly in difficult times.  I’m sure the judges will have a challenging job when it comes to assessing this year’s finalists. Culture and creativity is something that can keep us all going in these tough circumstances and there has been much to celebrate across our six local authority areas.

“If you know of a group or organisation that you feel has gone above and beyond within your community this year, why not let us know by nominating them? It’s a great way to show them how much they have meant to people.”

The judging panel has also now been finalised and announced as:

• Phil Redmond – Chair of the Culture Partnership
• Maggie O’ Carroll – Co-Chair of the Culture Partnership
• Michelle Charters – CEO, Kuumba Imani Centre
• Alastair Machray – Editor, Liverpool Echo
• Claire McColgan – Director of Culture, Liverpool City Council
• Professor Dinah Birch – Pro-Vice Chancellor for Cultural Engagement, University of Liverpool
• David Eddy – Localities Team Manager, Sefton Council
• Sam Wade – Arts Co-ordinator Clatterbridge Cancer Centre & Head of Young People’s Programmes Dada Fest
• Alicia Smith – Arts & Participation Manager, Culture Liverpool
• Jane Beardsworth – Senior Manager North, Arts Council England

The Culture and Creativity awards were created as part of the Metro Mayor’s Percent for Culture initiative, 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.

The 2020 awards will recognise arts and cultural events, innovation and creative activity that has taken place within the Liverpool City Region during the period 1st April 2019 to 12th November 2020.

Nominations can be made by 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. Groups or individuals can nominate themselves.

Nominations for the following categories are being particularly welcomed:

• Impact Award – Future World of Work
• Impact Award – Sustainable Business in the Arts
• Impact Award – Environmental Sustainability
• Impact Award – International Reach
• Sefton’s Borough of Culture ‘Star of the Year’

Nominees must live, study and/or work in the Liverpool City Region (e.g. Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) or have created work/projects that significantly benefit the residents or visitors to the Liverpool City Region and/or has positively contributed to the development of the local economy.

The judging panel will shortlist the finalists for each category from the nominations received. For the People’s Choice Award – Outstanding Contribution to Culture, the Liverpool City Region community will then be able to vote for their chosen winner. The vote opens in the New Year, ahead of the digital ceremony in February 2021.

For more information about the categories and how to nominate or apply to be considered please go to: https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/lcr-culture-creativity-awards-2020/