Celebrating the best of culture across the city, the annual Manchester Culture Awards returned to declare winners across 13 categories.
Nominees were involved in areas including heritage, music, theatre, film and literature, with achievements between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 eligible.
Launched by the council six years ago, this year’s awards ceremony took place on Saturday 23 November at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
The awards were sponsored by Manchester Evening News, Trustmarque, Blachere UK and Arts Council England.
Presenter Jenny Powell said: “Once again, this year, there were hundreds of nominations, confirming that amazing artistic and creative work is taking place across the city.”
Eden-Haya Walters was awarded Young Creative of the Year for her roles as a young artist mentor, a member of the gospel choir at the Royal Northern College of Music and an advocate for black musicians.
The award for Promotion of Health and Wellbeing was given to SMASH by Sick! Productions which is an arts-based social prescribing programme that supports residents in North Manchester who have mental health challenges.
For Promotion of Equality and Social Justice, there were two winners: All FM and Venture Arts.
Posting on X, All FM celebrated their joint win and said: “We’re delighted, humbled and overwhelmed.”
Local independent publisher Fly on the Wall Press won the Promotion of Environmental Sustainability award – having won the North England Small Press of the Year award earlier this year.
Super chuffed to have WON at the #mcrcultureawards last night for promotion of environmental responsibility in the arts! I visited schools, colleges and universities around Greater Manchester to give workshops and talks on #climateanxiety and finding a vocabulary for it through… pic.twitter.com/7egCB4rVWt
— Fly on the Wall Press (@fly_press) November 24, 2024
The annual Festival of Libraries event took home the Best Event award for it’s 111 events held across public, independent, specialist and historic libraries in 2023 – as the 2024 event took place after the deadline for eligibility.
Duo Malandra Jacks won Best Performance for their show ‘CENSUS’ which depicts the lived experience of over 40 community members with the aim of sparking much needed conversations and working-class pride.
Best Exhibition was awarded to Yayoi Kusami’s ‘You, Me and the Balloons‘ exhibition at Factory International in June 2023.
The award for Promotion of Talent and Leadership also went to two winners – Brighter Sound for its activism based support for music professionals and artists, and MyHub Manchester for their music education hub.
Debra King, the former director of Brighter Sound, was honoured with a Special Recognition Award for her long career in and contributions to Manchester’s cultural scene. King led Brighter Sound for 15 years and has previously worked as the director of Women in Music, music officer at North West Arts and a regional officer at the Youth Music, Arts Council.
Lekhani Chirwa was awarded Promotion of Culture and Education for her adaption of her play ‘Senses’ for film in a partnership with Manchester’s Young Carers Team to use as a resource to raise awareness of and support young carers.
The Best Business Partnership award went to Cargill and Z-arts who have worked together since 2022 to support disadvantaged families in the region.
Omid Asadi won Independent Creative of the Year for his 2023 solo exhibition titled ‘Resonance and Remnants’ at Castlefield Gallery. His exhibition highlighted his journey as an Iranian refugee.
DJ Paulette Constable, another nominee for the Independent Creative of the Year, was given an award for special recognition. Born in north Manchester, her DJ career led her from local clubs to residencies in prestigious venues in London, Ibiza and Paris where she broke barriers as the first black woman to hold these major residencies. The award was collected by her sister Paula who read out a message from DJ Paulette: “Thank you to Manchester as a place that innovates and inspires.”
The Made in Manchester Award was awarded to TiPP who work with Manchester Youth Justice Services to engage some of the regions most vulnerable youths in weekly art sessions.
Finally, the Manchester People’s Cultural Award was given to Sahba Academy. This award is chosen by a public vote held by sponsor Manchester Evening News.
The Sahba Academy is described as a cornerstone for community and cultural education in the city since 2015 and empowers communities through arts, music and crafts as well as promoting inclusivity and cultural exchange.
Jen Cleary, the director of the North region for Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted once again to support the Manchester Culture Awards in celebration of the fantastic creativity of the individuals, events and organisations of all sizes who make the city such a vibrant place to live and visit.
“It’s also great to see those working in creative health, cultural education and environmental sustainability recognised.
“Congratulations to the winners and all those on the shortlist – what they do means that everyone can enjoy great arts and culture on their doorstep, all year round.”
Featured Image: Manchester City Council
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