Critically acclaimed actress Eithne Browne is set to present the 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity awards which, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, are being celebrated online this year.
The Huyton-born actress, who has most recently appeared in Coronation Street and Emmerdale but who is most well-known for her role as Chrissy Rogers in Brookside, will host the glittering digital event on February 19th 2021 and will be joined by a number of guest presenters from the city region including the Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet Matthew Ball, music artist and DJ Yousef, actress Leanne Best and chef Paul Askew.
45 finalists have been shortlisted for the awards by a judging panel led by Chairs of the Culture Partnership, Phil Redmond and Maggie O’ Carroll. There were more than 700 nominations from across the whole of the city region this year, in a huge show of support for the cultural sector which has suffered a massive impact in the face of Covid-19.
Six of the finalists are up for the public vote in the People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture, where they have made a significant difference to the quality of life at either a local, Borough or City Region level. There’s still time to vote here – it closes tomorrow (Tuesday 26th January 2021) at 5pm.
Host Eithne Browne said:
“I am honoured to have been asked to host the Culture and Creativity awards this year. It has been an incredibly tough year for the industry, for everyone involved in the arts due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Celebrating everything that people have done to go above and beyond to adapt and be creative within their communities as well as across our cultural organisations; with events moving online and socially distanced performances; is much needed in this climate and good for our wellbeing to recognise them for their hard work in terrible circumstances.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a different feel to the 2020 awards ceremony which is taking place online but it is hoped that while we may be missing the glitz and glamour of a big night out, we can still enjoy the magic of the red carpet from our own living room. Anyone can register to watch the event and join us.
And if you want to really get into the spirit of things you can participate by entering the #DressItUp competition which invites both professionals and amateurs to create a spectacular outfit, head-dress or accessory for the event for a chance to win a special prize. There are more details here.
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 are delivered in partnership with Sefton Borough of Culture 2020 and sponsors include LuBan Restaurant, LuBan Kitchen, INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool, Davies Partnership and Accountable Recruitment.
This year’s awards cover 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.
LCR Culture and Creativity Awards – Finalists 2020
The People’s Choice – For Outstanding Contribution to Culture
This award is to celebrate an outstanding contribution to culture and creativity, which has made a significant difference to the quality of life at either a local, Borough or City Region level. The People’s Choice Award is decided by the public, chosen from a shortlist of individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to culture over a sustained period.
The Finalists are:
- BlackFest
- Gaynor La Rocca – Imaginarium Theatre
- Milap
- The Atkinson Sefton
- Bill Elms – Liverpool Theatre Festival
- Writing on The Wall
Artist of the Year
This award is to celebrate an artist whose work has stood out and contributed to the cultural and creative reputation of the LCR. This could be for a piece of work or a number of arts, cultural or creative projects that collectively have been consistently outstanding.
The Finalists are:
- Jubeda Khatun
- Paul Curtis
- Luke Stephenson
Arts Organisation of the Year
This award is to celebrate an arts organisation whose work has stood out and contributed to the cultural and creative reputation of the LCR. This could be for a piece of work or a number of arts, cultural or creative projects that collectively have been consistently outstanding.
The Finalists are:
- Writing On The Wall
- 20 Stories High
- Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF)
Student Inspiration Award
This award is to celebrate the work and impact of a student under the age of 25 who displays an innovative and inspiring approach to art, culture and/or creativity.
The Finalists are:
- Michael Aldag
- Zeena Begum
- Amber Akaunu
Impact Award – Health & Wellbeing
This award is to celebrate the power, value and contribution of culture and creativity to achieve positive outcomes in health and wellbeing.
The Finalists are:
- The Reader
- Katumba Drumming
- Liverpool Philharmonic
Impact Award – Environmental Sustainability
This award is to celebrate the power, value and contribution of culture and creativity to achieve positive and significant outcomes in environmental sustainability.
The Finalists are:
- Metal Liverpool & Shrinking Space
- Friends of Princes Avenue
- Wirral Environmental Network
Impact Award – Improving Education & Learning
This award is to celebrate the power and value of culture and creativity to achieve positive outcomes in education and learning.
The Finalists are:
- dot-art Schools
- Mako Create
- Savera UK Youth
Impact Award – Improving Community Cohesion
This award is to celebrate the power and value of culture and creativity to achieve significant and positive outcomes in community cohesion.
The Finalists are:
- LCR Pride Foundation
- Wirral Multicultural Organisation
- Liverpool Irish Centre
Impact Award – International Reach
This award is to celebrate the power and value of culture and creativity on an international level.
The Finalists are:
- Brazilica Festival
- National Museums Liverpool: House of Memories international project team
- Milap
Impact Award – Future World of Work
This award is to celebrate the power and value of culture and creativity to stimulate adaptability across all age ranges for the future world of work.
The Finalists are:
- Elaine McNeill – Liverpool School of Art and Design
- #Home Not Alone – collaborative project with Sandfield Park School internship team, Liverpool City Council Intern-to-work and Growing Happy
- Miguel Doforo – MD Creatives
Impact Award – Sustainable Business in Arts
This award is to celebrate businesses that are sustainable and make a significant contribution to economic growth within the arts, culture and creativity sector.
The Finalists are:
- Baltic Creative Community Interest Company
- dot-art
- Tmesis Theatre
mpact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (individual)
This award is to recognise an individual who has used culture and creativity to make a significant impact on people’s lives during the Covid 19 pandemic. This could include adapting to different ways of working to creatively reach and engage others e.g. zoom choirs, online arts and cultural activities, sending out activity packs; and / or operating in a completely different way during Covid 19 e.g. making PPE, providing local scrub Hubs, providing / supporting food distribution schemes.
The Finalists are:
- Clare Brumby/Salt Act
- Bill Elms
- Jennifer John/Love Sings
Impact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (organisation)
This award is to recognise an organisation who has used culture and creativity to make a significant impact on people’s lives during the Covid 19 pandemic. This could include adapting to different ways of working to creatively reach and engage others e.g. zoom choirs, online arts and cultural activities, sending out activity packs; and / or operating in a completely different way during Covid 19 e.g. making PPE, providing local scrub Hubs, providing / supporting food distribution schemes.
The Finalists are:
- Garston Adventure Playground
- The Atkinson
- Writing on the Wall
Borough of Culture ‘Star of the Year’
This award is to celebrate a shining star who has made a significant contribution to the Liverpool City Region’s 2020 Borough of Culture, Sefton.
The Finalists are:
- Illuminos – Rob & Matt Vale
- Paul Curtis
- Claire Morgans – Ykids
Inspiration Award
This award is to celebrate and recognise an individual’s lifelong creative contribution to the Liverpool City Region.
The judges will present an Inspiration Award for Achievement to recognise an individual’s creative contribution to the Liverpool City Region. The winner will be someone whose body of work merits recognition for achievement over a sustained period of time and who has made significant impact on the arts, cultural and/or creative sector.
Sponsors of the 2020 LCR Culture & Creativity Awards are:
- LuBan Restaurant
- LuBan Kitchen
- INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
- Davies Partnership
- Accountable Recruitment
