Shortlisted for 2022 Awards

30 Stories of Family Arts:
Opera North

Would Mozart have ever guessed that his operas would help humanity in their quest to tackle climate change? Probably not, but that’s exactly what happened at Opera North during the summer and autumn of 2021. Their Whistle Stop Opera: The Magic Flute – A Noble Quest to Save the Climate toured around 25 venues across the North and reached an audience of 1,700. 

This interactive family show was a 45-minutes adaptation of Mozart’s opera with a twist, aiming to raise awareness of the climate crisis and to introduce families to the world of opera. Performed by a cast of three professional singers and an accordionist, the show also featured a puppet dragon made of recycled materials, which could only be defeated if audience members danced to the sound of flutes and bells.

Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds and is a leading UK arts organisation. Through their education department, Opera North encourages active engagement in opera and related fields by, with and for children and young people. They break down perceived barriers to engagement for people of all ages, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds, and develops arts participation activity to enhance health and well-being.

Opera North have been shortlisted for Best Family Arts Activity in the 2022 Fantastic for Families Awards. Winners will be announced on 16 November 2022 in the free online awards ceremony.

You can discover all 30 Stories of Family Arts here. If you’d like to discover more fantastic organisations that meet our Family Arts Standards or Age-Friendly Standards explore the Fantastic for Families Directory.

Awards Shortlist

30 Stories of Family Arts
Discover the shortlist and their 30 stories of arts engagement. Find out who is nominated for Best Family Arts Activity, Best Age-Friendly Outreach, and Audience Impact & Innovation.

Directory

Fantastic for Families
From festivals and theatre companies to galleries and museums, in our directory you’ll find 1000+ organisations bringing eye-boggling creative events, activities and initiatives to life across the UK.

Sector Support

Family Arts Campaign
Work in the arts industry? Find out more about our work to support you. Dive into our resources library, commit to the Family Arts Standards or create a Family Arts Network in your area.