Liverpool City Region culture award winners revealed

The winners have been announced in the 2022 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.

Liverpool actress Sunetra Sarkar hosted the special awards ceremony at Shakespeare North Playhouse where 13 accolades were up for grabs.

Hundreds of nominations were whittled down to 39 finalists spread across the award categories – including the People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture, voted for by the public, which went to volunteer-run football tournament World in One City.

Meanwhile Sonia Bassey received the Inspiration Award (Lifetime Achievement) for her contribution to race equality, community engagement, inclusivity and social justice through arts and culture spanning more than 40 years.

Other awards went to Abdulwase Sultan (Inspirational Young Person), Ali Harwood (Artist/Creative of the Year), Daniel Davies of Rockpoint Leisure (Business in Arts), Granby Street Market (Community Cohesion), DefProc Engineering (Environmental), Liverpool Lighthouse (Health and Wellbeing), Agent Academy (Improving Education and Learning), Dr Emma Roberts (International Reach) and A Place for Us CIC (Preparing for Work).

Above: Sunetra Sarkar. Top: Winners World In One City.

Teams and individuals behind Knowsley’s year as 2022 Borough of Culture also received accolades with Culture Knowsley named Arts Organisation of the Year and 2022 volunteers taking the title of Borough of Culture Star of the Year.

Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Culture plays such an important role in what makes our region great. From community organisations and individual artists to Hollywood stars, we have so much to be proud of.

“A big well done to this year’s winners. These awards recognise imagination, inspiration and innovation – and the immense value the sector has contributed to our region in the past 12 months and beyond.”

Nominees needed to live, study or work in one of the six boroughs – Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Wirral and Halton – which make up the Liverpool City Region.