On Wednesday 10 March 2021 at 5pm, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) together with King’s College London will announce the recipients of The Award for Civic Arts Organisations. Marking one year on from the first lockdown, the event celebrates the pioneering civic work of arts organisations in response to the pandemic.

The celebration, hosted by Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE (Artistic Director, Young Vic), will highlight the work of the shortlisted organisations and announce the awardees of the first ever Award for Civic Arts Organisations.

About the Award

The Award for Civic Arts Organisations was launched by the Foundation in partnership with King’s College London to highlight the vital role that arts organisations play in sustaining a thriving, creative, and connected society, particularly during challenging times.

Despite the considerable challenges and uncertainty that the arts sector faces, ‘green shoots’ have been emerging. Arts organisations across the country have channelled the anxieties of this period and boldly reimagined their missions to put their communities first.

Open to UK arts organisations in receipt of public funding, the Award will provide funding totalling £150,000, as well as further support for the recipients to embed their work and share learning.

Earlier this year, an independent panel selected a shortlist of ten inspiring organisations that range from small grassroots organisations to larger institutions, from across the cultural spectrum and based across the UK. 

The Award is part of a suite of initiatives supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) in response to the pandemic. For more information about The Award for Civic Arts Organisations and the Civic Arts initiative please click here.

About the Celebration

Isabel Mota (President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation), Andrew Barnett OBE (Director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch), the chair of the panel Baroness Deborah Bull, Vice President & Vice Principal (London) and Senior Advisory Fellow for Culture at King’s College London as well as the awarded organisations will share their insights and snapshots of the process and the Award.

The event will also include the highlights from the contributors to the upcoming digital publication, ten MA students from the Department of Culture, Media & Creative Industries featuring the shortlisted organisations.