Manchester Culture Awards make big return for 2025 - and nominations are now open
You can nominate individuals, organisations and groups doing good things in Manchester across 11 different categories
One of the biggest celebrations of the incredible talent, creativity and culture in the city has opened up for nominations this year.
The Manchester Culture Awards recognises the individuals, the organisations, and groups that are doing something special within the culture and arts, whether it’s from a grassroots or international level.
First launched in 2018, the awards - led by Manchester Council - honour young creatives and those championing climate change, social justice, and health, as well as standout events from the past 12 months and the best exhibitions in the city.
Previous winners over the years have included Lemn Sissay OBE, Z-Arts, the Science and Industry Museum, DJ Paulette and Yayoi Kusama's 'You, Me and the Balloons' exhibition at Aviva Studios as part of Manchester International Festival 2023.
This year, there are eleven categories which are welcoming nominations of those based in the city of Manchester and those who ‘deliver activity’ for people who live in or visit the city. Last year, more than 350 nominations were made across each category.
Amongst this year’s awards will be the Cultural Welcome Award, made in partnership with the Manchester Evening News, which will be presented to an organisation or venue that provides a ‘great welcome to everyone’.
Other awards include the Independent Creative Award, highlighting inspiring and innovating people who have worked independently in their artform and projects, as well as the Champions of Equality and Social Justice, which recognises those making a change and creating opportunities when it comes to equality and diversity.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council, said: "Culture and creativity is a massive part of what makes Manchester the vibrant and exciting place that it is and makes a major contribution to the city's economy - which is one of the fastest growing in Europe.
"The incredible number of nominations we've had every year since the awards first began shows what an appetite for culture and the arts there is in the city. And with such a richly diverse talent pool of artists and creatives living and working here it's no surprise that we're a city that embraces culture and the arts.
"The creative scene in Manchester is amazing and we can't wait to see what this year's nominations bring."
The awards will take place at the Hilton Hotel Deansgate on November 22, with a number of Special Recognition awards also unveiled on the night itself.
Nominations are now open until midnight on July 4. You can nominate here.
The award categories for the Manchester Culture Awards 2025 are:
Bright Spark: Young Creative of the Year
A young person (aged 13–25) who is inspiring future generations of Mancunians and others through their creativity or is supporting others to be creative.
Excellence in Creative Health and Wellbeing
Fantastic creative activity that helped people feel better in their body and/or mind.
Champions of Equality and Social Justice
Making change and creating opportunities for equality and diversity to thrive.
Our Planet: Action on Climate Change
Taking action to positively benefit the environment and support climate change, or raising awareness and encouraging others to act.
Igniting Creativity: Culture, Education and Talent Development
Doing great work supporting others to develop their learning, creativity, skills and talents.
Making it Happen: Best Business Partnership
A partnership that supports culture and helps it flourish in Manchester.
The Best Event
A brilliant creative or cultural event that deserves recognition.
The Best Performance
A standout performance, in any art form, that was amazing and captivated the audience.
The Best Exhibition
An arts or heritage exhibition that inspired and left a lasting impact on visitors.
Independent Creative Award
A person working independently in the creative sector who is inspiring and innovating through their artform and projects
The Cultural Welcome Award - in association with the Manchester Evening News
An organisation or venue that provides a great welcome to everyone; whether as audience members, visitors, or participants