Fantastic for Families Awards 2023:
Applications now open!
Family Arts Campaign are pleased to announce that applications for the Fantastic for Families Awards 2023 are now open!
Did you provide incredible arts activities, events or initiatives for families or older people from April 2022 – March 2023? Did your work have a positive impact on the lives and wellbeing of your community? We want to hear from you!
The Fantastic for Families Awards celebrate the wealth of outstanding creative provision for families of all ages across the UK.
Each year, the Awards recognise and champion the achievements of family arts providers and the ways their work enriches the lives of families and older people. From artists and producers to venues and touring companies, we want to hear from everyone involved in creating and delivering family arts across the UK!
Fantastic for Families Awards are given by the Family Arts Campaign, a national initiative to improve access and creative opportunities for families. Family Arts Campaign is an Investment Principle Support Organisation within Arts Council England’s national portfolio.
Following shortlisting, entries will be judged by an expert panel of arts professionals. Awards will be presented in a virtual ceremony in November 2023.
Apply by 6pm on Monday 31 July 2023
Who can apply?
Application is by self-nomination. Applications are open to any UK-based cultural organisation or cultural event/activity organiser operating between April 2022 – March 2023. Awards will recognise activities/events/initiatives that took place during this period.
To be eligible for an Award, your organisation must have first signed up to the Family Arts Standards and/or the Age-Friendly Standards. Please follow the links for information on how to sign up.
- First, read the Family Arts Standards and/or Age Friendly Standards in full
- Ask your Chief Executive or Head of Department to email confirmation to our Programme Manager Janet on janet.jephcott@thealbany.org.uk
- If you are a small organisation, an artist, or a producer and don’t have a head of department, don’t worry – you can still sign up! Just email us to let us know more about your company/venue
- You will then receive an email confirming your registration along with Family Arts / Age Friendly Standards logo and brand guidelines
Categories
Awards will be given in the following categories:
Best Family Arts Activity
This category focuses on family arts activities. This award celebrates families’ overall enjoyment, the quality of the content provided and the suitability for family audiences and participants of all ages.
Best Age-Friendly Outreach
This category recognises outreach approaches, such as support or programming, provided specifically for older people. This could be through participation in age-friendly activities, events, supplying creative resources, or broader forms of support and outreach.
Audience Impact and Innovation Award
This category recognises the achievements of creative organisations or cultural event organisers who have demonstrated innovation and adaptability to reach and make a difference to families in need.
How to apply
Full criteria for each award is detailed in the application form, along with further information about supporting material and the application process. A large print application form is available here.
You may apply for more than one award category in your application but each organisation may only submit one entry per category. For example, you may apply for both Best Family Arts Activity and Audience Impact and Innovation Award but may only submit one entry for each of these awards.
Applications and supporting material should be emailed to info@fantasticforfamilies.com. Please note the deadline for applications has been extended to 6pm on Monday 31 July 2023.
Discover case studies from past shortlisted organisations and winners…
How Sage Gateshead reached new and existing families throughout the pandemic
Eleanor Mooney tells us about how Sage Gateshead’s Family Programme overcame challenges to reach new and existing families throughout the pandemic in innovative ways.
Bringing the gallery experience to life: sensory tours from MK Gallery
Rosie May and Sophie Bennett from MK Gallery tell us how their sensory gallery tours were created and delivered, to increase inclusivity and accessibility for audiences with diverse needs.
Taking Families Out and About: Imaginate’s ‘Family Encounters’
Noel Jordan, Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, tells us about how the organisation met the challenges of the 2021 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival during the Covid-19 pandemic.