And the nominees are…

We’re dusting off our fanciest gowns and preparing some heartfelt thanks to our mums – it can only be awards season!

The Manchester Culture Awards celebrate people, groups and organisations who made culture buzz in Manchester in 2018/2019, and Z-arts has once again been nominated in several categories.

CEO and Artistic Director of Z-arts Liz O’Neill said: “I’m thrilled with the nominations for the Manchester Culture Awards. We won the Inspiring Innovation category last year, and hopefully we’ll be successful again. Everyone puts their all into the work that we make for the children and families of Manchester and it’s brilliant to see this recognised.”

We’re up for Best Exhibition with the 3D technicolour immersive exhibition A World Inside a Book: Gruffalos, Dragons and Other Creatures, showcasing and celebrating the creations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. So far over 20,000 people have bought tickets for the exhibition. A World Inside a Book celebrates the magic of reading and promotes reading as a family activity. And there’s still time for you to come and see it, but you have to be quick as there’s only a few tickets left – we’ve even got a chance for you to meet the Gruffalo himself!

We’ve also been nominated for Best Performance for INUK, created by Studio ORKA and presented by Manchester International festival and Z-arts. Last July, Studio ORKA, one of Europe’s most prestigious theatre companies, transformed a school car park in Harpurhey with their specially built set. Audiences were transported to a hotel lobby with a storm raging outside for a magical story about family ties, friendship and home. The production was poetic and playful, and like nothing else we’d seen before – did you come to see it? What did you think?

And finally, the Manchester Family Arts Network, led by Z-arts, has been nominated for Best Event with The Ministry of Lost and Found, a day long takeover of Manchester Central Library. “The Ministry of Lost and Found is one of our most popular events,” says Saskia Metcalfe, the Creative Development Manager of Z-arts. “People visit the library just to see what’s going on and end up spending the entire day – there’s just so much to get involved with!” First appearing in September 2018 and again this year, The Ministry of Lost and Found transforms Central Library into a madcap immersive adventure, with live music, treasure hunts, juggling, arts and crafts, and all the best costumes!

Special mention must go to our very own Jack Hartshorn, nominated for Young Creative of the Year! As the Music and Community Studio Manager at Z-arts, Jack makes a real difference to the lives of many young people. Since late 2018, he has supported to 219 young people, 8 schools and community groups and championed women in music using his background in youth work and his experience as a professional in the music industry. “I’ve had the opportunity to make music with hundreds of other young creatives in this role and they inspire me every day,” said Jack. “Thanks to Z-arts & Levis for making it possible!”

The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 9 November, so you’ll have to wait until then to find out if we’ve been successful – keep your fingers crossed for us!

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