COVID heroes to be celebrated as nominations open for 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards

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.

Last year’s inaugural awards attracted more than 300 nominations and 2,500 votes for the People’s Choice category. 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 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.

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

“It’s safe to say that 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year for everyone but, in spite of that, our region has still shown a remarkable level of creativity to continue to adapt and innovate.

“In such difficult times, we are lucky to have such a dynamic and inventive cultural sector across our region, to keep us entertained and our spirits up. We want to recognise the brilliant work from individuals and organisations who have helped us get through these difficult months.

“Personally, I’d love to see some nominations for some of our amazing voluntary and community groups, who aren’t always recognised, but have really stepped up and come to the fore since the pandemic struck.”

Phil Redmond and Maggie O’ Carroll, the Co-Chairs of the Cultural Partnership are looking forward to the nominations coming in. Phil said:

“2020 has undoubtedly been an exceptionally challenging year on the cultural sector and organisations have gone above and beyond to rise to the challenge and connect with people in so many different ways. But these awards are not just about traditional forms of culture and creativity. There have also been so many ways in which communities have been supported, encouraged and inspired to creatively respond and reflect over this time and I think it’s important to also celebrate that hard work and creativity. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of all that creative energy.”

Phil Redmond/ Maggie O’Caroll

Maggie O’ Carroll, who is also CEO of The Women’s Organisation added:

“While the region’s museums, art galleries, theatres and music venues may have had to close their doors to the public for the best part of the year, it is still abundantly clear that the cultural and creative sector is at the very heart of communities, particularly in times of crisis. We have seen countless ventures and projects adapt and launch in the face of adversity over the last six months to engage audiences in new and innovative ways. Indeed, cultural and creative interventions have offered a much-needed respite and source of inspiration during these difficult months and have proved invaluable in supporting people in their own health and well-being.

“That’s why this year’s Culture and Creativity Awards are so important. They will create space for our region to sit back and recognise the value of our shared culture and creativity, and will offer an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the determination of the organisations and people who have been working so hard to sustain their businesses and continue offering all-important interventions for the community. As we look towards economic recovery, we must not forget the importance of this sector and we must ensure that it is properly supported to make a full recovery through substantial investment.”

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.

Finalists will be chosen from a panel of judges including Cultural Partnership Co-Chairs, Phil Redmond and Maggie O’ Carroll, Michelle Charters the CEO of Kuumba Imani, Alastair Machray, Editor in Chief, Reach PLC Merseyside and North Wales, Claire McColgan, Director of Culture Liverpool and Dinah Birch, Pro Vice Chancellor for Cultural Engagement, University of Liverpool.

Nominations can be completed online and the closing date for entrants and nominations is 13^th November 2020.

After this date 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 ceremony, which will be a digital event, with presenters still to be announced, takes place in February 2021. More details will be revealed in due course.

For more information about the categories and how to nominate or apply to be considered please go to the website here.