INTRODUCTION

The Norfolk Arts Awards is a celebration of the very best of arts and culture from around the county, produced by the team behind the Autumn Festival of Norfolk (formerly The Hostry Festival).

In previous years the shortlist and winners have been selected by panel of the awards are now open to a public vote between April and May each year as part of our determination to create ever more transparency and ownership of the awards by the county.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Anyone can vote via our website using the VOTE page.
  • To be eligible for a Norfolk Arts Awards your project, organisation, or practise must be based in Norfolk.
  • For time-specific projects they must fall within the period of 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023 to be considered.
  • You must fit into one of our 11 award categories. For more information scroll down to the AWARD CATEGORIES section.
  • You may vote for one person, organisation, or project in each category.
  • You may vote in as many categories as you like, and you do not have to vote in all categories.
  • You may vote for yourself, your project, your staff, your venue: and you can vote for anyone else you’d like to lend your support to.
  • Public voting in all 11 award categories will be open between Thursday 6th April and Wednesday 31st May 2023.

AWARD CATEGORIES

There are 11 award categories that you can vote on as part of the Norfolk Arts Awards 2023.

For examples of previous winners please visit our Award Winners page.

THE BUSINESS AND THE ARTS AWARD
Sponsored by St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
This award celebrates a Norfolk-based business that has gone above and beyond to support local artists and projects.

THE DICK CONDON THEATRE AWARD
Sponsored by The Garage
This award is for exceptional theatre whether that be a company, a venue, a project, or an individual.

THE VISUAL ARTS AWARD
In association with Norwich University of the Arts
This award celebrates excellence in the visual arts world and can be any form of art from sculpture to photography, to painting or mixed media.

THE JARROLD NEW WRITING AWARD
Sponsored by the John Jarrold Trust
This award is for outstanding new writing, whether that be for an individual writer or playwright, a larger-scale project, or even an organisation that promotes new writing in Norfolk.

THE MUSIC AWARD
Sponsored by Norwich School
This award is for brilliance in music in Norfolk whether for an individual singer songwriter, a band, choir, orchestra, or even a high school, college or university music department.

THE BROADCAST & MEDIA AWARD
Sponsored by the University of East Anglia
This award is for a broadcaster/presenter or media company, or publication that has delivered excellence.

DR FRANK BATES DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD
Sponsored by Jane Hawksley, relative of Dr Frank Bates
This award celebrates distinction in dance and musical theatre whether that be dancers, choreographers, dance and musical theatre schools or teachers.

THE DIVERSITY AWARD
Sponsored by Norwich Arts Centre
The Diversity Award celebrates organisations or individuals who are working to promote diversity in their shows, projects, or in their audiences.

THE EDUCATION & COMMUNITY AWARD
Sponsored by Norwich Theatre
The Education & Community Award celebrates an arts organisation or project that does exceptional work to engage their community and offer a world-class education in the arts.

THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Recognition for an individual or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the arts in Norfolk.

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In association with the Eastern Daily Press
An award to celebrate a body of work of an individual who has dedicated their career to the arts in Norfolk.

ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS

Public voting in all 11 award categories will be open between Thursday 6th April and Wednesday 31st May 2023.

The highest scoring two nominations in each of the 11 categories will be invited to accept the nominations and be profiled in the EDP & the Autumn Festival of Norfolk’s Guide, circulated across Norfolk from July to November each year.

The two nominees will then attend the gala ceremony where the highest scoring nominee will be revealed as the winner. In the event of a tie, an award will be handed to both winners.

The producers of the awards retain the creative opportunity to add a further nominee in each category, if it is felt that there is not enough diversity, or inclusion, as well as inclusion of people from all four corners of the county.

Should a nominee not wish to accept the nomination, the next highest scoring nominee will be selected and invited to accept.

Historically the EDP People’s Choice awards take place in August and September, but for this special anniversary year, we are inviting nominations for all awards from the EDP readership. This is all part of our inclusive policy, creating the largest possible interest over a 2-month period of voting. There will no second round of voting.