Burnley’s first ever awards programme, which intends to recognise the borough's cultural organisations and individuals, has announced its finalists. 

The Culture Burnley Awards is being run by Burnley Leisure and Culture and hope to promote a host of cultural, heritage and entertainment events and activities across the borough, particularly at The Mechanics Theatre.

Held at the Mechanics on Thursday, September 5 the award ceremony will be hosted by broadcaster John 'Gilly' Gilmore. 

Burnley Leisure and Culture manager, Charlotte Steels, said: “As a cultural sector we are not always good at shouting about what we do or taking the time to reflect and celebrate the talent and achievements that help to make Burnley shine.

Performances will be on throughout the award showPerformances will be on throughout the award show (Image: Cornerstone PR)

“The event is part of the activity that will help to raise the profile of culture in Burnley and work towards Burnley’s Year of Culture in 2027, shining a light on the fantastic cultural events, individuals, organisations, projects, partnerships and more that happens across the borough.”

The awards will feature entertainment from dancers and musicians including Next Level Dance who are bringing their high-energy performance to kick-start the event.

They will be followed by Lewis Brindle who will perform his singing and guitar show.

Categories for the competition include the rising star award, promotion of talent, cultural partnership, community, event independent creative, cultural organisation and volunteer.

Here are the finalists in each of the award categories:

  • Rising Star - for outstanding 13 to 25-year-olds who show significant talent and potential within any of the cultural and creative sectors: Jake Brannon, Burnley Youth Theatre; QSM (Queen Street Mill) Young Creatives; Rachel Kay, Burnley Pantomime Society; Reuben Lawless, freelancer.
  • Promotion of Talent - for behind-the-scenes role models, giving their time and energy (paid or unpaid), to teach and support others to develop their cultural and creative skills: Karen Metcalfe, Burnley Youth Theatre; Leanne Wharf, Act One Beginners; Rhiain Thornton, a local entertainer from Burnley, Uzma Raziq, Super Slow Way and the British Textile Biennial.
  • Cultural partnership - to recognise outstanding collaborations between the culture and any other sector(s) such as education, commercial, leisure and health: BA Hons Art and Design, Burnley College University Courses; Creative Arts and Media at Burnley College; David Ridehalgh, Burnley Library; Mechanics Theatre Presents/Down Town; Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, University of Central Lancashire and Super Slow Way; Counter Culture, High Street Heritage Action Zone Cultural Consortium; St John’s Church of England Primary School, Cliviger.
  • Community - for individuals, groups or organisations actively working to support communities to help them to overcome barriers via cultural and creative activities: Burnley Youth Theatre; Padiham Murals Project, Burnley Council: Padiham Townscape Heritage Initiative.
  • Event - recognising an outstanding cultural festival, performance or event in any discipline that has taken place between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2024: Educate the Kids Ball; British Textile Biennial; Burnley Canal Festival; Burnley Empire Heritage Open Days; Aladdin, Burnley Pantomime Society; Burnley Words Festival.
  • Independent creative - for individuals in any field who are creating excellent, original work and/or supporting and influencing the development of culture in the borough: Jai Redman, The Salon cultural hub on Lower St James Street; Jess McGlinchey, singer and teacher.
  • Cultural organisation - for organisations of any size delivering inspirational and innovative activity: Basics Junior Theatre School; British Textile Biennial; Burnley Youth Theatre; Mid Pennine Arts; Super Slow Way.
  • Volunteer - recognising the valuable contribution of those who volunteer their time to support or deliver cultural experiences: Burnley Civic Trust Heritage Image Collection Volunteers; Burnley Film Makers; Dorothy Creegan, Friends of the Weavers Triangle; Lancashire Archives and Local History Volunteers at Burnley Library.

Burnley Empire Theatre is currently undergoing restorationBurnley Empire Theatre is currently undergoing restoration (Image: Cornerstone PR)

With a wide-ranging criteria nominees will be assessed on their heritage, visual arts, music and singing, theatre, performance, dance, film and broadcast, literature, digital art, photography, craft and creativity, cultural education, and ‘behind the scenes’ roles such as production and direction.

Burnley Leisure and Culture work in partnership with Burnley Council and are responsible for the operation, management and development of sport and leisure facilities.

It is overseen by a board of trustees sourced from the local community who have a passion for sport and culture in Burnley.