Two Knowsley projects have been shortlisted for a prestigious Liverpool City Region (LCR) Culture and Creativity Award 2021.
The LCR Culture and Creativity awards were created as part of the Metro Mayor’s 1% for Culture initiative, where 1% of the Combined Authority’s £30 million funding each year is set aside to support culture and creativity. It recognises 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 independent judging panel is made up of members of the Liverpool Cultural Partnership, together with invited representatives from the Creative and Cultural sector.
Firstly, the Friends of Kirkby Gallery and Prescot Museum have been shortlisted for the ‘Impact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (organisation)’ which recognises an organisation which has used culture and creativity to make a significant impact on people’s lives during the pandemic and periods of lockdown.
The Friends of Kirkby Gallery and Prescot Museum delivered engaging and innovative work throughout the pandemic including ensuring exhibitions were still accessible online.
In addition, the ‘Picturing 100 Years’ which was delivered by Kirkby Gallery in partnership with Captain Bob Dobson MBE, has also been shortlisted in the ‘Impact Award – Covid-19 Creative Response (individual)’. This award recognises individuals who have used culture and creativity to make a significant impact on people’s lives during the pandemic and periods of lockdown.
The ‘Picturing 100 Years’ recognises and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Royal Corps of Signals and saw 100 boxes of art materials and practical resources distributed to the Armed Forces community and the Royal Signals Association to create artwork, poetry and creative writing.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said “I’m delighted that two Knowsley initiatives have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. Continuing to deliver our cultural programme has been instrumental throughout the pandemic and our staff and partners have worked incredibly hard to share thought-provoking information and assets during this challenging time. Well done to both nominations and good luck!”
The shortlisted projects will face a public vote to identify the winner. The voting process will open in the New Year and further information will be available on the LCR Culture and Creativity Awards 2021 website.
The chosen finalists for each category will be invited to a glittering ceremony on 2 March 2022 when the winners will be announced. The ceremony will take place at the Cronton Playhouse in Halton hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Ngunan Adamu.