Shortlist Announced for 2017 Hearts for the Arts Awards

What Next? and the National Campaign for the Arts have come together to create the Hearts for the Arts Awards, a new initiative to reward and thank Councils, Councillors and Council officers who are overcoming financial challenges to ensure the arts stay at the centre of community life.

Nominations were received for awards in four categories: Best Local Authority Arts Initiative, Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Councillor, Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Officer, and Best Local Authority Arts Project encouraging community cohesion.

The world-renowned judging panel comprised former Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Deborah Bull, visual artist Bob & Roberta Smith, playwright and director David Lan, musician Chi-chi Nwanoku, comedian and writer AL Kennedy, and actor and director Samuel West.

Announcing the shortlist, Samuel West, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, stated: "Judging these awards is a real pleasure: there's so much life-enhancing work in the arts that's supported by local authorities, despite their financial challenges. Getting the list down to just twenty candidates was a great challenge; I urge anyone who cares about the arts in our communities to visit our website and be inspired by these amazing projects and people."

One winner a day will be announced from 11-14 February 2017. The shortlist (in no particular order):

Best Local Authority Arts Project encouraging community cohesion:

Ipswich Borough Council, Eye for Ipswich

London Borough of Lewisham, Meet Me at the Albany

London Borough of Waltham Forest, Walthamstow GArden Party

Oldham Borough Council, Earthed

Thanet District Council, Art Inspiring Change

Winner to be announced at Noon on 11 February

Best Local Authority Arts Initiative:

Blackpool Council, Wordpool

London Borough of Waltham Forest, Dementia Programme at William Morris Gallery

Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Performing Arts Library Service (NPALS)

Oldham Council, The Limehurst Arts Society

Southampton City Council, Studio 144 - Southampton's New Arts Complex

Winner to be announced at Noon on 12 February

Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Officer:

Stephen Dunn, Carlisle City Council

Pokuaa Osei, London Borough of Haringey

Colette O'Brien, Liverpool City Council

Rachel Wood, Oldham Borough Council

Mischa Eligoloff, Torbay Council

Winner to be announced at Noon on 13 February

Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Councillor:

Councillor Darren Rodwell, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council

Mayor Joe Anderson, Liverpool City Council

Councillor Chris Robbins, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Councillor Bob Price, Oxford City Council

Winner to be announced at Noon on 14 February