Award categories and timeline for entries

There are 10 Award categories in 2026. These are:

• The Arts Leadership in Education Award
  

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• The Inspirational Local Partnership Award

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• The Innovators in Engagement Award

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• The Mighty Roots Award

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• The Fearless Freelancer Award

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• The One to Watch Award

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• The Young Arts Activism Award

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• The Spark the Change Award

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• The Power in Practice Award

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• The Changemaker Award

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Nominations are open. Deadline for nominations is midday (12:00pm) on Monday 1st June 2026. No late entries will be accepted.

Finalists will be announced on or shortly after 5th September 2026.

The Awards will take place October 21st 2026 at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

As with our past Awards programmes, there will be no cost to submit an entry.