Nominations open for York Culture Awards

The second annual event sees artists, musicians, makers and creators from around the city compete for 12 awards, with a ceremony at York Minster later this year.

Jane Lady Gibson, Chair, Make It York, said the awards celebrate excellence in the arts and cultural sector and committed to innovation, creativity and quality.

She said: "We believe talent across our cultural sector should be recognised and by hosting these awards, our aim is to raise the profile of the breadth and quality of work going on here.

"This awards ceremony is an opportunity for York to celebrate all that is best in culture and creativity in our city. The awards, which cover every aspect of art and culture, will recognise achievements by individual practitioners, businesses, educational establishments, communities and cultural organisations. We want to shout about the sheer quality of creative talent that is here, and we hope these awards, open to everyone, will inspire people to submit their work."

Rose Kent, director of accessible arts and media, won the award for cultural champion last year, and said: "It was such an honour for Accessible Arts’ & Media’s work championing inclusion and accessibility to be recognised and I’m looking forward to playing my part on the judging panel this year."

The awards are free to enter, with categories including Best Community Project or Event, Excellence in Cultural Education, Excellence in Cultural Equality and Diversity, Best Cultural Event or Festival, Best Culture Partnership, Excellence in Media Arts, Best Performing Artist, Best Production, Best Visual Artist, Excellence in Writing and Cultural Champion.

This year will also see a new award, Rising Star, for anyone under the age of 18 who is new to the sector and already showing promise for a career in their chosen field.

Entries are open until September 29, and must relate to cultural activity between October 2016 and September 2017.

To find out more, or enter, go to yorkculturewards.com today