The Young Creative Awards, an annual competition for young creatives living, working or studying in and around Nottingham, has returned for its 16th year, with entries now open.
Launched by the Young Creatives Nottingham charity, the awards seek to shine a light on young talent from across the city, and are open to anyone aged from 11 years old to 24 years old.
This year, organisers will be accepting entries until 11.59pm on 15th March 2024. Entrants will be able to submit work across ten categories including photography, music, film, fashion and textiles, creative writing, dance and visual arts. Winners and runners up will not only receive a range of prizes, but also benefit from mentoring, work placements and professional development opportunities.
Since its launch in 2009, The Young Creative Awards has served as a springboard for some of Nottingham’s most talented individuals, with previous winners and runners up including the likes of Nottingham poet, playwright, performance artist and producer Bridie Squires, singer-songwriter Rob Green, and artist Aimee East who made it to the finals of BBC’s Best Young Artist competition.
Last year, The Young Creative Awards welcomed hundreds of entries, who were judged by a panel of judges from across Nottingham’s creative industry, before the winners were crowned during a virtual awards ceremony. However, this year marks the first physical award ceremony since before the pandemic, during a glittering event that is set to take place at Nottingham Playhouse in May.
The Young Creative Awards mark just one of a number of ways Young Creatives Nottingham helps to support the creative community. Over the course of the year, it also helps nurture and support the next generation of writers, artists, musicians, designers, actors, architects, entrepreneurs and thinkers through workshops, events and more. It also strives to inspire and help young people to find ways into education, training and employment.
To qualify for entry, creatives must be living, studying or working within the Nottingham Urban Area which includes Nottingham City, Arnold, Beeston, Carlton, Clifton, Eastwood, Hucknall, Kimberley, Ruddington, Stapleford and West Bridgford. Entrants are able to enter as an individual, a group, a class, study group or club.
To find out more about entry criteria, or to submit an entry, visit: https://www.youngcreativeawards.org/
