Nominations were received for awards in four categories: Best Local Authority Arts Initiative, Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Councillor, Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Officer, and Best Local Authority Arts Project encouraging community cohesion.
The world-renowned judging panel comprised former Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Deborah Bull, visual artist Bob & Roberta Smith, playwright and director David Lan, musician Chi-chi Nwanoku, comedian and writer AL Kennedy, and actor and director Samuel West.
Announcing the shortlist, Samuel West, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, stated: "Judging these awards is a real pleasure: there's so much life-enhancing work in the arts that's supported by local authorities, despite their financial challenges. Getting the list down to just twenty candidates was a great challenge; I urge anyone who cares about the arts in our communities to visit our website and be inspired by these amazing projects and people."
One winner a day will be announced from 11-14 February 2017. The shortlist (in no particular order):
Best Local Authority Arts Project encouraging community cohesion:
Ipswich Borough Council, Eye for Ipswich
London Borough of Lewisham, Meet Me at the Albany
London Borough of Waltham Forest, Walthamstow GArden Party
Oldham Borough Council, Earthed
Thanet District Council, Art Inspiring Change
Winner to be announced at Noon on 11 February
Best Local Authority Arts Initiative:
Blackpool Council, Wordpool
London Borough of Waltham Forest, Dementia Programme at William Morris Gallery
Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Performing Arts Library Service (NPALS)
Oldham Council, The Limehurst Arts Society
Southampton City Council, Studio 144 - Southampton's New Arts Complex
Winner to be announced at Noon on 12 February
Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Officer:
Stephen Dunn, Carlisle City Council
Pokuaa Osei, London Borough of Haringey
Colette O'Brien, Liverpool City Council
Rachel Wood, Oldham Borough Council
Mischa Eligoloff, Torbay Council
Winner to be announced at Noon on 13 February
Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Councillor:
Councillor Darren Rodwell, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council
Mayor Joe Anderson, Liverpool City Council
Councillor Chris Robbins, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Councillor Bob Price, Oxford City Council
Winner to be announced at Noon on 14 February
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