Open Eye Gallery is shortlisted for LCR Culture and Creativity Award
Finalists are revealed in the 5th annual Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards: more than 600 nominations came in from across the six local authority areas of the Liverpool City Region. Open Eye Gallery is shortlisted for the Arts Organisation of the Year award ー this award is to celebrate an organisation whose work has stood out and contributed to the cultural and creative reputation of the city region.
Sarah Fisher, director of Open Eye Gallery, said:
This nomination is really a public recognition of the communities, creatives and agencies that have worked with Open Eye Gallery across the city region during 2023 to amplify and champion local voices, and cement national and international collaborations.
We are fortunate in having expertise in photography ー the medium through which people now share their lives. Working with partners, we have been able to support meaningful projects, co-created by communities collaborating with photographers-in-residence, exploring and celebrating unheard voices, championing neighbourhoods, diverse cultural or gender identities, the natural environment and social heritage. Projects that have involved all ages, abilities and may have come together to support well-being or unlock talent. During 2023, this culminated in exhibitions across all city region areas.
Talent was celebrated ー from a solo exhibition of the Wirral’s Craig Easton (winner of the overall Sony World Photography Awards during lockdown), to 380 photographers at all stages of their careers via the Liverpool City Region Photography Awards 2023.
The Home programme, working through 45 partners, enabled the city region to cement its solidarity with Ukraine, showcasing 17 Ukrainian photographers work in 6 exhibitions, with exceptional UK talent responding via poems and a film. In addition 35 non-gallery sites hosted work – from public realm spaces to train stations to independent venues. This work with Ukraine will continue, with Home touring during 2024, and it has led to Open Eye Gallery’s collaboration on the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale next April.
Cllr Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business said:
“These awards give us a chance to showcase what our area has to offer. I’m delighted we’re continuing to see so many nominations from across the city region and from such a variety of businesses, organisations and individuals.
“Well done to all the finalists. I look forward to the next stage of the competition!”
Established in 2019 under the Mayor’s 1% for Culture initiative, which commits to invest one per cent of the Combined Authority’s annual budget directly into cultural activities, the awards are in their fifth year of honouring the value and contribution the cultural and creative sectors bring to the region and the difference they make to people’s lives.
The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at St Helens Rugby League Stadium (Langtree Park) on Thursday 7 March 2024, the area being this year’s Borough of Culture.
