- Independent panel shortlists 54 finalists from more than 600 nominations
- Six shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award which will go to public vote
- BBC Radio Merseyside’s Billy Hui BEM DL to host the glittering ceremony in March
- Ceremony to take place in Wirral – this year’s Borough of Culture
The finalists in the 2025 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards are revealed today – with some of the sector’s biggest names shortlisted.
An independent judging panel whittled down more than 600 nominations to a shortlist of 54 finalists across 15 categories, that celebrate the individuals and organisations helping drive the city region’s thriving cultural and creative sector.
Categories range from Inspirational Young Person to Outstanding Achievement and recognise the sector’s contribution to education, health, business, innovation, community cohesion and the environment.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Billy Hui BEM DL in March at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion, Wirral, this year’s Borough of Culture.
Now in their sixth year and made possible through the Mayor’s ongoing commitment into cultural activities across the Liverpool City Region, the annual awards are returning to the Wirral, which hosted the first ceremony in 2019.
Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said:
“The standard of entries this year was staggering, in fact our nominees raise the bar every year with projects that have a massive impact on our communities so it’s no mean feat for the judges to decide the finalists in this prestigious event.
“Our cultural economy is a key part of the Liverpool City Region’s offer and support for this area is crucial, not only right now, but as part of shaping the next generation of talent to take it forward in the future.”
Awards host Billy Hui is a musician and presenter who has been involved in radio for more than 30 years, he is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside and Founder and Musical Director of the multi-award winning SingMe Merseyside Choir.
He said:
“I’m honoured to be part of the Culture and Creativity Awards this year. Culture and the arts make up a big part of my life. The industry has taken me all over the world and I’m delighted to be supporting our own home-grown Liverpool City Region talent at this year’s event.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating with all the finalists who have done a fantastic job to make it this far. Congratulations to you all.”
The 11-strong judging panel included CultureDeck Channel Manager Ayo Omojuwa, Hartree Centre Director Kate Royse, and Victoria Merriman, from Arts Council England.
But one accolade won’t be decided by the judging panel is the People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture, which is voted for by the public from six finalists. Online voting for this category will open in the New Year and the finalists are:
- DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts.
- Karen Yates – Salt and Tar
- Shakespeare North Playhouse
- The Bluecoat
- The Flower Streets Mural Project
- Writing on the Wall
Ayo Omojuwa, Channel Manager of CultureDeck, which is a collaborative media platform for emerging artists and creative talent in the city region, was on the judging panel. She said:
“It was such a difficult process when you have the vast amount of talent that exists in the city region. It’s also not just about art and performance, but technology and innovation and how they are used creatively so it was no easy task choosing the finalists!
“I am very much looking forward to seeing the People’s Choice vote open in the New Year as I feel it’s really important to have the public involved in who they feel is their culture champion this year.”
The 2025 event is sponsored by Liverpool One, The ACC Liverpool Group, The Guide and The University of Liverpool.
For more details visit www.lcrcultureawards.co.uk
And the finalists are:
People’s Choice Award (Outstanding Contribution to Culture)
- DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts.
- Karen Yates – Salt and Tar
- Shakespeare North Playhouse
- The Bluecoat
- The Flower Streets Mural Project
- Writing on the Wall
Artist/Creative of the Year
- Adam Thompson
- Anoosh AriaMehr
- John McHugh
- Tess Gilmartin
Arts Organisation of the Year
- Convenience Gallery CIC
- Liverpool Sound City
- Make CIC
- Open Eye Gallery
Borough of Culture ‘Star of the Year’
- Andrew Shaw and Ryan Gauge – Convenience Gallery CIC
- Beci Hughes
- Kemal Houghton
- New Brighton Arts Festival
Business in the Arts Award
- Andrew Brown
- Focal Studios
- One Fell Swoop
Community Cohesion Award
- At the Library
- Cafe Laziz
- The Flower Streets Mural Project
- Tiber Young Producers Project – ‘The Threads that Bind Us’
Environmental Award
- The Builder Book Planet Pack Project
- Future Yard CIC
- Green Bibliofest – Kirsten Hume
- Open Eye Gallery
Health and Wellbeing Award
- Alder Hey – Arts for Health Programme
- Heart of Glass – The Suicide Chronicles
- Liverpool Philharmonic Music and Health Programme
- The Autism Wellbeing Project (AWP)
- Wellbeing Enterprises CIC: We Connect Social Prescribing
Improving Education and Learning Award
- Enterprise Education in Secondary Schools programme (Richard Leighton)
- Green Bibliofest – Kirsten Hume
- Liverpool Sound City
- Strawberry Field
- The Builder Book Planet Pack Project
Innovation Award
- Butters Innovation Limited
- Merseyside Expanding Horizons
- Wellbeing Enterprises CIC: Complete Care Community Project
Innovator of the Year Award
- Carl Grainger
- Denise Jones
- Omar Khaled
Inspirational Young Person Award
- Jake Glennon
- Khalil Aydemir
International Reach Award
- DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts.
- Francisco Carrasco, Luma Creations
- Liverpool Sound City
- The Anfield Wrap
Preparing for Work Award
- AJP Ltd, SpringPod & The University of Liverpool
- Ascent Autism Specialist College
- Care Leavers into Careers (CLIC)
The Judges Inspiration Award
To be announced on the night.