Winners of the 2026 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards unveiled

Each of the winners of the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards was honoured at the ceremony at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

More than 500 entries from artists, creatives, volunteers and community groups were whittled down to 55 finalists for the awards that celebrate the very best of Liverpool City Region’s thriving cultural and creative sector.

Winners across 17 categories were revealed at last night’s glittering awards ceremony hosted by TV presenter and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek MBE at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

PopVox Choir scooped The People’s Choice Award, which saw a record 4,500 votes cast by the public across the Liverpool City Region.

And writer Jimmy McGovern, the man behind dramas from Time, Unforgiveable and Hillsborough to Cracker and the early days of Brookside was honoured with the Judges Inspiration Award for outstanding creative contribution to the industry.

Other winners included Open Eye Gallery in the Community Cohesion category for their storytelling projects working with refugees and asylum seekers, members of the LGBTQI+ community and D/deaf and BSL users; and Andrew Salim of Central Waste who picked up the Environment Award for his volunteer work bringing together businesses, residents and community groups to clear and revitalise vital green space in some of Liverpool’s most densely populated and deprived areas.

The LCR Culture and Creativity Awards also introduced four new categories this year, including an Excellence in Film & TV award, won by Liverpool Film Office’s delivery of the Liverpool City Region Production Fund, celebrating the huge growth of the industry in the City Region.

Talent within the digital, gaming and creative media sectors was also recognised for the first time, with the Creative / Media Organisation of the Year  award presented to ArtsGroupie CIC, while the moments that brought people together were celebrated with a new Live Event of the Year award, taken home by ‘A Celebration of Zoe’s Place at M&S Bank Arena’ in Liverpool.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: 

“Culture and creativity are woven into the fabric of who we are in the Liverpool City Region, from our world-famous music scene to the major film and TV productions choosing our region as their backdrop. But what makes us special is the talented people behind it all, helping cement our reputation as the UK’s cultural capital.

“I want to congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists for the contribution they have made to our city region.”

Last night marked the 7^th annual Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards and the second presented by Sam Quek MBE, who returned after previously presenting the Awards in St Helens in 2024.

Part of the Mayor Steve Rotheram’s Percent for Culture initiative, the accolades recognise the high value and huge contribution the cultural and creative sector brings to the City Region, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most vibrant and exciting places to live, work, visit, study or do business.

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

The Categories and winners in full:

People’s Choice Award – Outstanding Contribution to Culture

Pop Vox Choir

Artist / Creative of the Year

Abdullrhman Hassona

Arts Organisation of the Year

Liverpool Philharmonic

Business in the Arts Award

Future Yard CIC

Community Cohesion Award 

Open Eye Gallery

NEW: Creative / Media Individual of the Year

Claire Savage-Hocking

NEW: Creative / Media Organisation of the Year

ArtsGroupie CIC

Creative Innovation Award

GoodShip*

Developing Creative Skills Awards

Conquer Life CIC

Environmental Award 

Andrew Salim

NEW: Excellence in Film & TV

Liverpool City Region Production Fund | Liverpool Film Office

Special Recognition to:

Lee Sandales 

Health & Wellbeing Award 

Dancing Queens, The Black Women’s Health Forum

Improving Education & Learning Award 

Ariel Trust

Inspirational Young Person Award

Trinity Brierley

International Reach Award 

Liverpool Biennial

NEW: Live Event of the Year

`A Celebration of Zoe’s Place` at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool

Judges Inspiration Award – Outstanding Achievement 

Jimmy McGovern

Find out more about the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards here.

Find more events across Liverpool on our calendar.

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