Date issued: 14 January 2020

The shortlist has been announced for the National Campaign for the Arts' (NCA) Hearts For The Arts Awards 2020. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts, often within a climate of severe financial challenges.

Colchester Amphora Trading’s Alison Fogg has been nominated for ‘Best Arts Champion - Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker’ for her excellent contribution in developing Colchester’s thriving arts and creative sector and work with the Creative Colchester Partnership. This brings together creative businesses and arts organisation leaders, alongside Higher Education and Local Authority representatives who work to grow Colchester’s creative, cultural and digital economy.

This work within the creative sector has been carried out on behalf of Colchester Borough Council by Colchester Amphora Trading, one of three wholly owned commercial companies under Colchester Commercial Holdings Ltd, started by Colchester Borough Council in 2018.

Paul Smith, Group Commercial Director and Board Member of Colchester Commercial Holdings, commented on the shortlisting: “This is one of a huge variety of projects which we deliver on behalf Colchester Borough Council and it is a fantastic recognition of Alison’s hard work to be nominated for such an accolade.’

The Hearts For The Arts shortlist was judged by representatives from some of this year’s partners in the awards: Culture Counts; Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Local Government Association; National Campaign for the Arts; and Voluntary Arts Wales.

Discussing Alison’s nomination, the judging panel said: “Crucially, Alison is not specifically an officer in charge of championing the arts and yet she has done just that to huge success. I think in the current political climate we find ourselves in, which has just become much more severe, Alison’s skills in practical logistics, and economic development are exactly what local arts need to survive. She is in a prime position to communicate the economic, social, and health benefits of the arts, and it would be great for this award to encourage her to excel and keep going.”

Cllr Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture & Performance and Deputy Leader of Colchester Borough Council, added: “It is wonderful to see Alison’s passion, drive and commitment to the Colchester Arts scene recognised with this nomination. It is so richly deserved – and I would like to thank and congratulate Alison for her tremendous contribution to enhancing the cultural life and vibrancy of Colchester.”

Nominations were received from across the UK across the five award categories:

• Best Arts Initiative;
• Best Arts Project - Community Cohesion;
• Best Arts Project - Arts, Health and Wellbeing;
• Best Arts Champion - Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker;
• Best Arts Champion – Councillor.

The winners of the Hearts For The Arts Awards 2020 will be announced on Valentine’s Day, 14 February. The winners will be selected from the shortlist by a panel of key arts industry experts and practitioners, including:

• Susie Dent: lexicographer, etymologist, host of Countdown’s ‘Dictionary Corner’
• Gary Kemp: actor, musician, songwriter, founder member of Spandau Ballet
• Julie Hesmondhalgh: actress, activist
• Alom Shaha: Physics teacher, dad, author of Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder
• Errollyn Wallen CBE: composer
• Kirstie Wilson: Kirklees Council, winner 2019 Hearts for the Arts Best Local Authority Arts Champion - Officer
• Samuel West: actor, director, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts

The National Campaign for the Arts present the Hearts For The Arts Awards each year. The awards are delivered by UK Theatre, in partnership with Culture Counts, the Local Government Association (LGA), Theatre NI, Voluntary Arts Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Thrive NI.

For more information on the shortlisted nominees visit forthearts.org.uk/campaigns/hearts-for-the-arts/

Hearts For The Arts is a National Campaign for the Arts initiative, delivered by UK Theatre, in partnership with Culture Counts, the Local Government Association, Theatre NI, Thrive NI; We Are Voluntary Arts Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action. forthearts.org.uk