Following a record-breaking number of nominations from communities across the country, the winners of the National Campaign for the Arts’ Hearts For The Arts Awards 2021 have been announced.
Set up to recognise the work of the champions of the arts at local government level and chosen by a panel of industry experts and practitioners, this year’s list includes an extra two winners in the Best Arts category due to the number of strong nominees:
Best Arts Project
N17 – (Haringey Council) A radio programme created in partnership by students of Harris Academy Tottenham, Kick It Out, Threads Radio, Haringey Council, RoughHouse Theatre and playwright Dougie Blaxland.
Create & Learn PlayKits – (London Borough of Wandsworth Arts Service) Wandsworth creative organisations worked together with Wandsworth Council to make and distribute over 3,000 kits of creative materials and activities to children aged six to 10 years old in most need.
Arts E-Live (Mole Valley District Council) A community arts festival of over 50 events in the fields of music, theatre, poetry, creative writing, children’s events, street art, craft, filmmaking and dance.
Best Arts Champion
Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker
Andy Dawson – (Inspire Youth Arts) As service manager, Andy Dawson has strategically planned and secured funds to deliver creative journeys for young people across Nottinghamshire.
Best Arts Champion – Councillor
Councillor Janet Emsley – (Rochdale Borough Council) For her consistent and energetic support of the arts in Rochdale.
Commenting on this year’s winners, the chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, Samuel West said: “In a world that badly needs good news, we can now cheer our 2021 Hearts for the Arts winners to the skies. Surrounded by loss, separation and loneliness, these people, these projects show the joy and comfort councils and trusts can bring when they put art and creativity at the centre of community life.
“I can’t put it better than one of our judges, the cabaret artiste Le Gateau Chocolat: ‘It was absolutely rewarding knowing that these sorts of people walk amongst us in the arts. I’m incredibly humbled by their efforts and contributions to their communities.’
“Picking winners this year was really difficult – the challenges of Covid mean any creative effort deserves to be rewarded and will have brought solace in big and small ways. But our winners have particularly proved the use and importance of art to people’s lives, and we hope will continue to do so. These sorts of projects must not be allowed to die. The Hearts for the Arts awards are our way of saying thank you, and please keep going – you’re needed now more than ever!”
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board added: “Congratulations to all the winners of these awards, and those who were shortlisted. After such a difficult year, it’s fantastic to see councils continue to use innovative ways to bring communities together, tackle isolation, support educational outcomes and enrich the lives of their residents when they needed it most.
“Despite severe budget challenges, councils are one of the biggest national public investors in culture, spending over £1bn each year and it is enormously inspiring to hear these stories of success and perseverance in championing the arts.”
The LGA’s Hearts for the Awards ceremony will take place virtually from 3-4pm on 3 March 2021. Launched five years ago to highlight the achievements of local authorities in providing arts services for local people, this year’s judging panel included West along with fellow actor/director Adrian Lester, cabaret artist Le Gateau Chocolat, physicist, oceanographer and TV presenter Helen Czerski, journalist and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup, musician, composer and founder member of Orbital, Paul Hartnoll, comedian, writer and actress Francesca Martinez and Petra Roberts, the cultural development manager of 2020 winners Hackney Council.
The National Campaign for the Arts presents the Hearts for the Arts Awards annually. The Awards are delivered by the NCA in partnership with Culture Counts, the Local Government Association, Thrive, UK Theatre, Voluntary Arts Wales and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.