Shortlist for Flourishing Culture Awards announced

The shortlist for northern Devon's Flourishing Culture Awards has been announced ahead of the first ever awards ceremony. This will take place on Friday 28 March at the Park Hotel in Barnstaple, where the winners will be announced.

The nominees, categories and sponsors are:

• Arts in education, sponsored by Centre Stage School - Together Again Community Cre8tives; Katherine Lockett
• Crafts - Target Devon; Llinos Gale
• Digital, film and moving image, sponsored by Devon Film Logistics - Jo Stewart-Smith and Amanda McCormack for 'Boat Stories'; Bideford Film Society
• Diversity and inclusion - Sunrise; Toby Adamson and Mark Read for 'For A Time'
• Heritage, sponsored by Pearce Construction - Hele Corn Mill; Emily Wapshott and John Eeles for 'Dig the Castle'
• Innovation, sponsored by Devon Film Logistics - Red Herring Productions; Mandy Harding for The Benita Project
• Sport - Coastal swim Coaching; Gavin Lane, Barum Boxing Club
• Literature - Pat Glover and the Schools Team for the Appledore Book Festival; Chloe Lake
• Performing arts sponsored by Landmark Theatres - Fringe TheatreFest Barnstaple; Louisa Hockin School of Performing Arts
• Rural community engagement - Sea Ilfracombe Maritime Festival; Peter Robinson for 'Molton Monthly'
• Visual Arts - Ilfracombe Arts Trail; North Devon Arts
• Special Recognition Award - sponsored by Dartington Crystal. Award to be announced at the event

The event is part of North Devon Council and Torridge District Council's Flourishing Culture Strategy. The Flourishing Culture Awards will recognise the innovation, talent and hard work that drive local creative sectors. Over 170 nominations were received across 11 categories, with each award being sponsored by local businesses. The shortlisted finalists have been invited to attend the ceremony, along with distinguished guest and sponsors, where the winners will be announced.

Cultural Partnership Board representative for North Devon Council, Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth said:

"We are committed to raising the profile of the local creative industries sector through our North Devon and Torridge Economic Strategy and believe this event will have a lasting impact, not only in celebrating the achievements of those within the creative sector but also in furthering the economic development of our region. We're incredibly fortunate to have a very vibrant cultural scene in our area, and we can't wait to give some recognition to those making a valuable contribution to our communities. We aim to make this an annual event, so if your contribution to the cultural landscape in northern Devon hasn't been recognised this time around, we hope there'll be other opportunities!"

 

Cultural Partnership Board representative for Torridge District Council, Councillor Cottle-Hunkin said: 

"Congratulations to all of the finalists. Creativity is such a huge part of this region's identity which often goes unnoticed or can be hidden from view. Northern Devon is in fact home to England's third largest group of creatives (after London and Cornwall) and this is something we need to be shouting about! Our inaugural cultural awards are a great way to start recognising our talented, innovative and hardworking individuals and groups. Creativity and culture is wide-ranging: from arts, heritage and literature through to the creative innovation of new technologies. They all have a key role to play in furthering the economic development of our region, and we are fully committed to raising the profile and supporting the valuable work that goes on within our communities."      

The Flourishing Culture strategy was adopted and launched by North Devon and Torridge District Councils in October 2022. It aims to improve people's access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations. The strategy sets out the value that culture brings to northern Devon, the aspiration for what it could be, and some suggested actions for raising the ambition, sustainability and impact of culture in all its forms across the region.

Businesses interested in sponsoring future events to receive an award in the company's name should contact culture@northdevon.ac.uk. 

Enquiries and questions can be directed to culture@northdevon.ac.uk (North Devon Council residents) or Claire.Gulliver@torridge.gov.uk (Torridge District Council residents). Information on the awards is available at North Devon Council's website.

Mar 25