North East Culture Awards deadline for entries is approaching

Time is running out for people to submit entries for this year’s North East Culture Awards.

The Awards - whose headline sponsors are Sunderland City Council and University of Sunderland - are open to anyone or anything which made a significant contribution to the North East’s cultural landscape over the last year. Anyone can nominate an individual, group, organisation, venue, event, performance, exhibition etc for consideration.

Prizes are on offer across 13 categories covering everything from performances, writing, visual arts and heritage. But all entries have to be in by the end of the month to be in with a chance of winning.

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Nominations are open now and can be made online at www.necultureawards.com. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on September 30.

The awards will take place in November with The Fire Station in Sunderland providing the venue for the second year running. Last year winners included Alphabetti Theatre, Dave Johns, the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival and Hamzeh Al Hussien.

Journal editor Graeme Whitfield said: "The Culture Awards is always a highlight of the year - a chance to look back at what the sector has achieved and to celebrate the best of our artistic community.

"I hope as many people as possible enter the awards so that we can give our artists, performers and supports all of the recognition they so richly deserve."

The award categories for 2024 are:

Best event or exhibition

Performing artist of the year, sponsored by University of Sunderland

Best arts and business partnership, sponsored by Durham University

Best arts and education partnership, sponsored by MIMA & Teesside University

Performance of the year, sponsored by the North East Culture Partnership

Newcomer of the year, sponsored by The Northern School of Art

Visual artist of the year, sponsored by Tees Valley Combined Authority

Writer of the year

Best museum of cultural venue

Special award for young achievement

Heritage award, sponsored by Newcastle University

The Arts Council England Award, supported by Arts Council England

There will also be a special recognition award, sponsored by Durham County Council, which will be presented on the night following a decision by the judging panel. For full category descriptions, visit www.necultureawards.com

Tickets for the Awards ceremony on November 28 at The Fire Station in Sunderland are priced at £25 +VAT and can also be booked at the North East Culture Awards website.