Finalists announced for the Norfolk Arts Awards 2025

This year, the finalists in all categories have been decided on by the public, with thousands of votes cast.

The winners will be revealed on September 25, along with the winners of The Peter Wilson Special Recognition Award for those who have made a real contribution to the cultural life of Norfolk over the last year, The Peter Barrow Bursary Award, given to a rising star of the arts industry and The Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Business and the Arts Award

Supported by Page Bros. Group

Norwich Theatre

Norwich Theatre offers annual corporate packages (Image: Supplied) Norwich Theatre offers annual corporate packages, giving employees discounted access to performances across all three stages, while also offering businesses the chance to network and raise their profile through Norwich Theatre’s platforms.

Bookbugs and Dragon Tales Book Shop

Bookbugs and Dragon Tales Book Shop works to inspire reading for all ages (Image: Supplied)

Bookbugs and Dragon Tales is an independent bookshop in Norwich dedicated to inspiring a love of reading for all ages.

It offers a carefully curated selection of books, inclusive storytelling sessions and creative community events that celebrate imagination and diversity.

The Dick Condon Theatre Award

Supported by The Garage Trust

Norwich Theatre

Norwich Theatre has a range of creative engagement opportunities (Image: Supplied) Norwich Theatre presents a vibrant programme of live performance and creative engagement to entertain, enrich and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Norwich Puppet Theatre

Norwich Puppet Theatre offers hands-on learning opportunities (Image: Supplied)

Norwich Puppet Theatre, a multi-art venue and theatre company, engages schools and charities across the region, offering hands-on learning opportunities.

The Visual Arts Award

Supported by City College Norwich

Sainsbury Centre

The Sainsbury Centre is a world-class art museum (Image: Kate Wolstenholme) The Sainsbury Centre is a world-class art museum with a unique perspective on how art can foster cultural dialogue and exchange.

Visible Woman Project (Norwich Theatre)

The Visible Women Project at Norwich Theatre Royal has been shortlisted (Image: Richard Jarmy)

As part of its Creative Ageing programme, Norwich Theatre offered a space for women aged 55+ to experiment, play and transform stories into images using simple multimedia skills. 

The New Writing Award

Supported by the John Jarrold Trust

National Centre for Writing

The National Centre for Writing has been shortlisted for the New Writing Award (Image: Andy Sapey)

The National Centre for Writing is a contemporary literature house, located in the heart of Norwich—England’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

This project is dedicated to the transformative power of storytelling to foster personal, social, and community development.

Mark Mander (Sleeping Beauty at Norwich Puppet Theatre)

Mark Mander is up for The New Writing Award (Image: Supplied)

After studying Art and Design at Yarmouth Art School, playwright and performer Mark Mander joined the Norwich Puppet Theatre.

Mark has written and produced three Christmas productions for the Norwich Puppet Theatre, including Sleeping Beauty in 2024.

The Mike King Music Award

Supported by Norwich School

Norwich Philharmonic Society

The Norwich Philharmonic Society has performed around the county (Image: Supplied) With The Halls, the Phil’s home since 1841, temporarily closed, the last 12 months have been extraordinary, with the society performing at three different venues.

Ben Street (director of Wild Paths)

Ben Street, director of Wild Paths (Image: Supplied)

Ben is the founder and director of Wild Paths, an award-winning events team that organises and programmes a number of festivals, events and venues in and around Norwich.

The team is most well-known for its annual multi-venue music festival Wild Paths, spread across more than 20 venues and pop-up stages.

The Broadcast and Media Award

Supported by the University of East Anglia

Future Radio

Future Radio is Norwich’s community radio station (Image: Supplied) Future Radio is Norwich’s community radio station, broadcasting 24/7 about local people, organisations, and events.

With more than 50 specialist music shows and partnerships with local groups and businesses, they help promote voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Shuck (Norfolk folklore zine)

Shuck is a Norfolk folklore zine (Image: Supplied)

SHUCK Zine is a celebration of Norfolk’s rich folkloric heritage and its place within the wider tapestry of British folklore.

They created this zine to share the tales rooted in Norfolk, in a way which would be of interest to readers far beyond Norfolk’s borders.

The John Hawksley Dance and Musical Theatre Award

Supported by Jane Hawksley

Platform Theatre (City College Norwich)

City College’s Platform Theatre has been shortlisted (Image: Supplied)

City College Norwich’s Platform Theatre stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation, having recently undergone significant renovations to enhance its multipurpose capabilities.

This venue provides students with invaluable opportunities to immerse themselves in the arts, gaining industry knowledge and hands-on experience.

The Workshop Studios The Workshop Studios has been shortlisted (Image: Supplied)

With top-class training from a highly experienced faculty, the students benefit from a fully rounded timetable of opportunities which provides them with tools for the move into adulthood, whether that’s performing or not. 

The Education and Community Award

Supported by Norwich Theatre

Norwich Puppet Theatre

Norwich Puppet Theatre, a multi-art venue and theatre company, engages schools and charities across the region, offering hands-on learning opportunities.

185 Drayton Road (The Common Lot)

185 Drayton Road is a skill-sharing hub in Mile Cross (Image: Supplied) 185 Drayton Road is a community skill-sharing hub in Mile Cross that has been welcoming participants since August 2023.

Operated by The Common Lot, the hub offers people from the local area and beyond the opportunity to learn and share creative skills to increase social connection, improve wellbeing and enhance personal agency.