• The TV presenter and Olympic hockey gold medallist from Wirral will host ceremony in June
• Public vote started for People’s Choice Award
• Six events and organisations shortlisted for their outstanding contribution to culture and creativity
• 55 finalists across 17 categories from more than 500 nominations
• Four new categories for 2026 including Live Event of the Year and Excellence in Film and TV

Voting is underway for six ‘outstanding’ cultural organisations shortlisted for the coveted People’s Choice title at this year’s Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.

The awards will be held at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre in June where TV presenter and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek MBE will reveal the winners from 55 finalists across 17 categories. Sam, from Wirral, returns to the stage after previously presenting the Awards in St Helens in 2024.

Sam Quek MBE

The People’s Choice Award recognises outstanding contributions to culture over the last year and is decided by the public via an online poll.

The nominees are:

• Alder Hey’s Arts for Health – a programme supporting over 11,000 children and young people in its care each year, through a range of creative patient-led programmes to help wellbeing and recovery.
• Liverpool Arab Arts Festival – the UK’s longest-running annual Arab arts and culture festival, platforming the best UK and international Arab artists.
• Liverpool Sound City – Europe’s leading independent music festival and conference, and the UK’s longest consecutively running new music showcase event.
• PopVox Choir – a contemporary pop choir redefining the modern vocal collective, the choir creates uplifting, emotionally engaging experiences resonating with singers and audiences across the region.

• Shakespeare North Playhouse – shares stories and creativity with people of all ages across Knowsley and the Liverpool City Region, offering a welcoming place to learn, take part, and connect.
• The Unity Theatre – a small venue with a big heart and a bigger mission: to be a home for collaboration, community, and creativity championing underrepresented voices.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said:

“Every year, these awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable creativity, talent and community spirit that make our city region such an exciting place to live and work.

“The People’s Choice Award is especially meaningful because it gives people the opportunity to celebrate the organisations that have truly made a difference. This year’s shortlist reflects the diversity, ambition and heart of our cultural sector – and I’m delighted to see such a fantastic range of nominees. I’d encourage everyone to get involved, cast their vote, and help us recognise the people and projects that continue to shape the Liverpool City Region’s vibrant cultural landscape.”

(Top row) Alder Hey Arts for Health, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, PopVox Choir. (Bottom row) Shakespeare North Playhouse, Liverpool Sound City and The Unity Theatre.

The LCR Culture and Creativity Awards has introduced four new categories this year including an Excellence in Film & TV award celebrating the huge growth of the industry in the City Region. Talent within the digital, gaming and creative media sectors is also recognised for the first time, while the moments that brought people together will be celebrated with a new Live Event of the Year award.

Other categories honour the use of culture and creativity in areas such as innovation and community cohesion and celebrate the sector’s contribution to education, health, business and the environment.

Anyone can vote for the People’s Choice Award, including for more than one candidate, but multiple votes for the same person or organisation cannot be sent from one email address. The vote closes on Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 5pm.

The 2026 event is sponsored by The ACC Liverpool Group, The Guide Liverpool, Hope Street Hotel, Trojan Lighting Solutions and Copeland Group Services.

To find out more about all the categories and to nominate, go to: www.lcrcultureawards.co.uk