Knowsley’s cultural ambition and achievements have been recognised at the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards, where Knowsley scooped two awards.
Knowsley’s Borough of Culture programme was named Arts Organisation of the Year, recognising the outstanding contribution that Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture in 2022 has made to the cultural and creative reputation of the city region.
During its 12 months in the spotlight, Knowsley hosted more than 60 events attracting more than half a million people. From sport, to art, music, illuminated events, Shakespeare and Edward Lear – there was something for everyone to enjoy.
More than 100 volunteers helped to make Knowsley’s year such a success and their efforts were also recognised at the ceremony as they were presented with the award for Borough of Culture ‘Star of the Year’.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said:
“I am thrilled that Knowsley, our people and our projects and our contribution towards culture across the region have been recognised with these awards.
Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture was truly spectacular and we were very ambitious with our plans. These awards certainly recognise the scale of those ambitions and everything that we delivered. And we couldn’t have hosted such an amazing year without the support from the wonderful volunteers, who showed up and helped to make every event safe and special for our visitors.
I am also delighted that Knowsley hosted this year’s awards ceremony at Shakespeare North Playhouse which is such an iconic building and cultural asset not only for the people of Knowsley, but for all of our communities across the region. It was a very fitting venue to celebrate the breadth of culture and creativity we have here in the Liverpool City Region.”
The LCR Culture and Creativity Awards were hosted at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, which opened in July 2022 and played a major role in Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. Since it’s opening, the Playhouse has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond, through its doors and has itself scooped a clutch of awards, including Theatre Building of the Year at The Stage Awards.
Special Recognition Award
The Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, presented a Special Recognition Award on the night to Paula Williams, Assistant Executive Director at Knowsley Council. The award recognised Paula’s exceptional commitment and dedication to the cultural sector throughout her career. Paula led the initial consultation across the Liverpool City Region boroughs, with Sir Phil Redmond, to inform the 1% for culture strategy and has shaped the original idea of every region in Merseyside having their time to shine and celebrate through the borough of culture programme.
About the Awards
The Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution that culture and creativity make to the whole of the City Region. Established in 2019 as part of the Metro Mayor’s commitment to culture, it attracts entries from across the region.
Hundreds of artists, creatives, volunteers and community groups entered this year’s 13 award categories with entries being shortlisted by an expert panel of judges including Cultural Partnership Chair Sir Phil Redmond, Kate Royse the Director of the Hartree Centre, Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive Sciontec Developments and the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, and Michelle Charters CEO of the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre.
Other Knowsley related projects and people shortlisted for the Awards included:
People’s Choice Award – Outstanding Contribution to Culture: Knowsley Borough of Culture Programme and Shakespeare North Playhouse
Artist/Creative of the Year: Bev Ayre – Creative Producer, Knowsley Borough of Culture
Environmental Award: United by Land – Knowsley Borough of Culture and James Brunt
Community Cohesion Award: Shakespeare North Playhouse
Business in the Arts Award: Andy Dockerty from Adlib (a Knowsley based business)
Borough of Culture “Star of the Year”: Tina Ball – Kirkby Gallery and Friends of Gallery and Museum and Bev Ayre – Creative Producer, Knowsley Borough of Culture
Knowsley Residents’ Culture Survey
We’d like to know more about how people living in Knowsley take part in arts and culture activities to help us shape the cultural and creative offer for our residents.
Do you visit arts and cultural events or venues, take part in creative activities, on your own or as part of a group, or take part in community activities – for example, volunteering or attending a group at a local library.It doesn’t matter if you don’t do many (or any!) of these things – we’d love to hear from you.
You can complete the online survey here – Knowsley Residents’ Culture Survey (office.com)
