2018 Achates Philanthropy Prize Announces Shortlist

The shortlist is announced today for the 2018 Achates Philanthropy Prize, the only annual Prize that celebrates first-time cultural giving in the UK.

This year's shortlist offers a powerful portrait of an emerging generation of cultural philanthropists and the far-reaching impact of these new partnerships for arts organisations and their communities across the country - from Leeds to North Devon, Norfolk to Cardiff.

Each individual and company on the shortlist has been nominated by a cultural organisation to express appreciation for their outstanding contribution, which ranges from financial support, to experience and skill sharing, network growth and positive advocacy. The shortlist takes in cultural organisations of all sizes and scales - across theatre, literature, architecture, dance and music.

Achates Philanthropy Prize Founder, Caroline McCormick, said: "As the effects of austerity deepen and state funding falls away, the need for fundraising has come to the fore. Now organisations are grappling with the idea that philanthropists aren't just a remote embodiment of wealth with whom they may have no connection, but that their audiences can be the supporters they need.

This recognition means audiences are being invited to see themselves as arts philanthropists for the first time, and the Achates Philanthropy Individual Prize is a way to celebrate these first-time arts donors. This year the shortlist spans dance, theatre and literature - with entries from across England, Scotland and for the first time, Wales - each one illuminating a different approach to how cultural organisations are binding themselves to their communities through giving.

In the Corporate Award category, we have seen a large number of arts organisations focusing on capital projects this year, which has highlighted the important role property developers are now playing in driving cultural development across the UK. At a time when local authorities have fewer assets for culture, alongside a significant drop in corporate support of the arts across the UK, it is clear that building companies are having a major impact not just on the fabric of our cities, but on their cultural identity too. What emerges is not just a story about buildings and financial investment, but also strategic thinking and real collaboration between property developers, arts organisations and the wider community."

Now in its third year, the Prize fund is £10,000, shared between the Individual Philanthropy Award and the Corporate Award, thanks to the continued generous support of Achates Philanthropy Ltd., BOP Consulting and Spektrix.

The winners of both Awards will be announced by the eminent cultural philanthropist and founder of Fairlight Arts Trust, Sarah Kowitz DL, at a special Prize ceremony at The Roundhouse on Tuesday 23 October.

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INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY AWARD
Cultural organisations across all art forms were invited to nominate an outstanding individual or trust who has given philanthropically towards their organisation for the first time within the last 12 months, at all levels of giving.

The 2018 shortlist

• The Ministry of Stories and John Gillman & Mary Winch

• Northern Ballet and Jolyon & Carol Harrison

• The Old Vic and Richard & Annie Kleiner

• The Plough Arts Centre and Lindsey & Nigel Timms

• Theatre Uncut Productions and Vicky Graham

• The Yard Theatre and Joanna Kennedy The Foundation would also like to make a special honorary mention to: Fio and Abdul Shayek

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CORPORATE AWARD
Cultural organisations across all art forms were invited to nominate an outstanding company, of any size, that has supported their organisation for the first time within the last 12 months at all levels of giving.

The 2018 shortlist

• The Museum of Architecture and Finsa

• National Centre for Writing and WREN & FCC Environment

• The National Youth Theatre and L&Q

• The Roundhouse and Panmure Gordon

• With One Voice (Streetwise Opera) and Laing O'Rourke

• World Heart Beat Music Academy and EcoWorld Ballymore

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