Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation: The Award for Civic Arts Organisations

Overview

The Award for Civic Arts Organisations celebrates organisations that are rethinking the relationships with the communities they serve and using the transformational power of art for individual and societal change.

With the theme ‘Co-Creating the Future’, the third edition of the Award recognised organisations that are unlocking the creativity of their communities to navigate today’s challenges and help shape a better future. The spotlight is on organisations that are helping communities thrive, even in the most challenging of contexts – whether by igniting joy, hope, compassion and energy, improving wellbeing, forging new connections, or developing solutions. Recipients will be outstanding examples of how arts organisations can work in and with communities to address their needs and concerns, deepen relationships, and use arts and creativity to enable positive change.

The Award offered a total of £150,000 prize funding, one of the largest amounts for an award in the arts sector. There was one prize of £100,000, and two of £25,000.

Eligibility

The Award is open to arts organisations in the United Kingdom that currently receive public funding or have received public funding in the last three years. The Award is not focused on the type of art created, but rather on how the organisation works with its community.

1. They define arts organisations as institutions which have a primary purpose of working in the arts or culture of any form.
2. They define public funding as money received from taxpayer-funded government entities such as national Arts Councils or local authorities. Applicants might receive a mix of public funding as well as earned revenue, donations and private funding. Organisations that currently receive or have received public funding in the past three years are eligible to apply.
3. They do not seek to prescribe what an arts organisation’s community For some, ‘community’ means the organisation’s network of artists/creatives, while for others it means a broader international community of practice. Often for civic arts organisations, ‘community’ means the local communities, ranging from the adjoining neighbourhood to the nearby care home or school, for example. We encourage you to read about the previous recipients and see how they describe their communities.
4. Arts organisations of all sizes are welcome to apply.
5. Arts organisations do not need to own or operate from a building to apply.
6. Current grant holders from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and previous recipients of the Award for Civic Arts Organisations cannot Previous grant holders and Award applicants who were not successful in previous years are welcome to apply.
7. The Award is for organisations, not individuals or teams within organisation.

Selection criteria

The independent advisors and panel will assess your answers to the four questions using the criteria below. These are based on research the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) conducted to identify the characteristics and operating principles that tend to be shared by arts organisations that have a strong civic role.

The judges will consider how your work:

1. Champions co-creation and dialogue
2. Is rooted in the evidenced needs of your community
3. Champions diversity and gives a platform to insufficiently recognised issues
4. Engages your community with artists
5. Encourages debate and promotes positive ways of working
6. Builds the skills, capacity, and creativity of your community
7. Improves social cohesion, connections and wellbeing within your community
8. Focuses on future-facing and long-term impact

Panel

The panel of judges is responsible for deciding the shortlist and the recipients of the Award. They bring together a wide range of experience and expertise from the civic arts sector.

Find out more about the panel, which will be chaired by Baroness Bull (Deborah Bull) CBE, Member of the House of Lords.

Media and Communications

The Award recipients and the shortlisted organisations are encouraged to participate in media and communications opportunities to raise the profile of the Award, your work, and the importance of the civic role of arts organisations. You may be asked to supply photographs, video material or further information about your work. Shortlisted organisations will be provided with more information and tailored support, including access to media advice and communications materials.

2023 Award Winners

Re-Live is the main recipient of £100,000. People United and Golden Thread Gallery each receive £25,000. Find out more on the website