Hearts for the Arts 2019 winners announced

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Hearts for the Arts Awards, recognising the UK’s unsung local heroes of community arts.

On Valentine’s Day, we’ve announced the winners of the Hearts For The Arts Awards 2019. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts, often within a climate of severe financial challenges.

The winners are:

The winners were selected by a panel of key arts industry figures:

  • Samira Ahmed: journalist, writer and broadcaster
  • Les Dennis: actor, comedian, television presenter and NCA Champion
  • Jude Kelly: producer, director, founder of Women of the World Festivals and The WOW Foundation, ex-Artistic Director of The Southbank Centre
  • Kwame Kwei-Armah: playwright, director, Artistic Director of the Young Vic Theatre
  • Lorna Lee: Head of Culture & Heritage Services, London Borough of Waltham Forest, and Winner of the 2018 Hearts for the Arts Awards for Best Local Authority Arts Champion – Officer
  • Samuel West: actor, director and Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts

The winners will be presented with their awards by Les Dennis and Samuel West, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, at the Local Government Association’s Annual Culture and Tourism Conference 2019 on 6 March 2019.

Samuel West, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, said:

“So many great community arts projects are only made possible by imaginative, determined Local Authority staff, who understand the power of the arts and culture to bring us together. Hearts For The Arts believes that recognising these hardworking local heroes is vital.
I am very grateful to our distinguished judges who have chosen from some outstanding entries, to find the very best examples of Local Authorities championing of the arts. This year’s winners show us that even with limited resources and in a tough economic climate, it’s still possible for the power of the arts to transform, engage and inspire.”

Congratulations to all the wonderful shortlisted entries.

Join us to help us run these Awards and campaign for the arts.
Hearts for the Arts is a National Campaign for the Arts initiative.
Delivered by UK Theatre
In partnership with Culture Counts, Local Government Association, Theatre NI, Voluntary Arts Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action and What Next?

CFTA Team

CFTA Team

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