| The finalists in the running for the top spots at this week’s prestigious Manchester Culture Awards have been announced. |
| The ceremony at the Hilton Hotel – which celebrates the stand-out cultural and creative highlights of the last year – takes place on Saturday (23).
The awards were first launched six years ago in 2018 by Manchester City Council to recognise Manchester’s fast-growing reputation for culture and the arts, with the annual awards recognising the very best of culture, creativity and the arts in the city – from the grassroots up. They recognise individuals, events and organisations big and small, that together help make Manchester the vibrant and exciting place for culture and the arts it is. Nominations for awards across twelve different categories were invited from members of the public, arts professionals, the voluntary and community sector and anyone else with an interest in culture and the arts. Nominations had to reflect activity between April 2023 and March this year with all nominees either based in Manchester or having a strong track record of delivering activity for the benefit of people who live in or visit the city, or that benefits the local economy. Award categories include Best Event, Best Performance, Best Exhibition and Young Creative of the Year, as well as other awards that shine a spotlight on some of the important themes of our times such as health and well-being, the environment, and social justice. Following a phenomenal response to the call for nominations, judges were given the unenviable task of sifting through more than 300 nominations to decide on the finalists and winner in each of the award categories. This year has once again also seen nominations invited for the Manchester People’s Culture Award,, which will be presented to an individual or organisation whose dedication and contribution to culture in Manchester over a number of years stands above the rest and deserves to be recognised. The winner of the award is chosen by public vote and due to be announced at next week’s awards ceremony. In addition to deciding the finalists and winners in each of the main award categories, judges also have discretion to present a Special Recognition Award to someone they consider has made a real difference to the cultural life of the city, with two such awards this year due to be made on the night. Previous recipients of Special Recognition Awards include poet Lemn Sissay OBE (pictured), former Halle music director Sir Mark Elder, poet performance artist dramatist and writer SuAndi OBE, and former Director of HOME, Dave Moutrey OBE. Garry Bridges, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It’s clearly been yet another outstanding year for culture in Manchester. Judges have once again been completely blown away both by the number of nominations made, as well as the extraordinary breadth of talent and innovation here in the city that they reveal. “We’re a city that embraces culture and the arts as an important part of our identity that helps make Manchester the place it is and can’t wait to announce this year’s Manchester Culture Award winners.” The finalists in each category are: Best Business Partnership Promotion of Culture and Education Best Performance Promotion of Equality and Social Justice Young Creative of the Year Promotion of Talent and Leadership Promotion of Environmental Sustainability Promotion of Health and Wellbeing Made in Manchester Independent Creative of the Year Best Event Best Exhibition The Manchester People’s Culture Award |
Finalists of Manchester Culture Awards announced
