The finalists have been announced for the Norfolk Arts Awards 2023, which will celebrate the very best of arts and culture in the county.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, November 3 at the Ocean Room in Gorleston, with the presenters ITV's Chris Page and Aisling Creevy. 

After collating nominations from thousands of members of the public, the finalists have now been announced: 

1. THE BUSINESS & THE ARTS AWARD

Sponsored by MORTGAGES FOR ACTORS

Eastern Daily Press: Out There Arts is based in Great Yarmouth Picture: Out There Arts Out There Arts is based in Great Yarmouth Picture: Out There Arts (Image: Out There Arts)

DRILL HOUSE/OUT THERE ARTS

Out There Arts is an independent arts development charity based at The Drill House in Great Yarmouth.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Picture: NewsquestNorwich Theatre Royal Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

NORWICH THEATRE

Norwich Theatre is committed to helping the arts recover from the pandemic and to grow in vibrancy, diversity, accessibility and resilience.

2. THE DICK CONDON THEATRE AWARD 

Supported by THE GARAGE 

Eastern Daily Press: NORFOLK & NORWICH OPERATIC SOCIETY: KINKY BOOTS NORFOLK & NORWICH OPERATIC SOCIETY: KINKY BOOTS (Image: Supplied)

NORFOLK & NORWICH OPERATIC SOCIETY: KINKY BOOTS

NNOS performed this hit musical at Norwich Theatre Royal in early 2023.

Eastern Daily Press: The ast of Queers at Sewell Barn Theatre Picture: Sean Owens -Reflective ArtsThe ast of Queers at Sewell Barn Theatre Picture: Sean Owens -Reflective Arts (Image: Sean Owens -Reflective Arts)

QUEERS AT SEWELL BARN THEATRE

The Sewell Barn Theatre’s production of Queers celebrated a century of positive change and political milestones in British LGBTQ+ history. 

3. THE VISUAL ARTS AWARD

Sponsored by ARTS IN NORFOLK, ARTS IN NORWICH

Eastern Daily Press: Groundwork Gallery Groundwork Gallery (Image: Supplied)

GROUNDWORK

GroundWork Gallery is Britain’s only art gallery dedicated to the environment. 

Eastern Daily Press: Tattooist Will Sparling Tattooist Will Sparling (Image: Supplied)

WILL CORVIDAE SPARLING

Will has been tattooing for 17 years all around the world, but mainly from his studio Crow Temple Tattoo in Norwich.

4. THE JARROLD NEW WRITING AWARD

Supported by the JOHN JARROLD TRUST

Eastern Daily Press: Molly Naylor Molly Naylor (Image: Supplied)

MOLLY NAYLOR

Molly Naylor is a writer, performer and creative mentor and she co-wrote the Sky One comedy After Hours.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre - Climate Writing for 37 Plays Picture: Richard JarmyNorwich Theatre - Climate Writing for 37 Plays Picture: Richard Jarmy (Image: Richard Jarmy)

NORWICH THEATRE 37 PLAYS

Norwich Theatre created writing advice and workshops to support the Royal Shakespeare Company’s search for 37 Plays telling modern stories. 

5. THE MUSIC AWARD 

Supported by CITY COLLEGE NORWICH

Eastern Daily Press: Ian JohnsonIan Johnson (Image: Supplied)

IAN JOHNSON

Ian has worked for Access Creative College for 20 years as a tutor, principal and head of music industry partnerships. 

Eastern Daily Press: Let's Eat Grandma - winners of the Best Album Award at the Q Awards 2018 Picture: PA Wire/PA ImagesLet's Eat Grandma - winners of the Best Album Award at the Q Awards 2018 Picture: PA Wire/PA Images (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

LET'S EAT GRANDMA

Let's Eat Grandma is a British award-winning pop group formed in 2013 by musicians Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth. 

6. THE BROADCAST & MEDIA AWARD

Supported by UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

Eastern Daily Press: Richard Penguin Richard Penguin (Image: Archant)

RICHARD PENGUIN

Richard Penguin has written a column for the Triangle magazine for 17 years and recently stepped down from broadcasting for Future Radio.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theare CEO Stephen CrockerNorwich Theare CEO Stephen Crocker (Image: Danielle Booden)

STEPHEN CROCKER - HOST OF THE NORWICH THEATRE TALKS PODCAST

Stephen Crocker hosts Norwich Theatre Talks - the theatre’s podcast which takes Norwich's creativity to the world. It is available on YouTube and Spotify.

7. DR FRANK BATES DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD 

Supported by JANE HAWKSLEY, RELATIVE OF DR FRANK BATES

Eastern Daily Press: Glass House DanceGlass House Dance (Image: Supplied)

GLASS HOUSE DANCE

Glass House Dance was set up by Sarah Lewis and Laura Anderson to take contemporary dance into public spaces.

Eastern Daily Press: Katy Dunne Picture: Katherine MagerKaty Dunne Picture: Katherine Mager (Image: Katherine Mager)

KATY DUNNE DANCE FOR WELLBEING

Katy wanted to provide a safe space for participants to express themselves and connect to their bodies.

8. THE DIVERSITY AWARD

Sponsored by NORWICH ARTS CENTRE

Eastern Daily Press: CASTLE MUSEUM - SINGH TWINS EXHIBITIONCASTLE MUSEUM - SINGH TWINS EXHIBITION (Image: Supplied)

CASTLE MUSEUM - SINGH TWINS EXHIBITION

The exhibition “Slaves of Fashion” explored how the history of Indian textiles is a global story of empire, conflict, enslavement and luxury lifestyle.

Eastern Daily Press: Queer Fest Norwich Queer Fest Norwich (Image: Supplied)

QUEER FEST

Queer Fest Norwich aimed to provide a safe space to feel validated and seen.

9. THE EDUCATION & COMMUNITY AWARD 

Sponsored by NORWICH THEATRE

Eastern Daily Press: Musical KeysMusical Keys (Image: Supplied)

MUSICAL KEYS

Musical Keys is a Norwich-based charity that provides music and arts activities for people with additional needs.

Eastern Daily Press: The Common LotThe Common Lot (Image: The Common Lot)

THE COMMON LOT - 100 YEARS OF MILE CROSS

100 Years of Mile Cross is an 18-month lottery-funded project investigating and celebrating the country's oldest social housing estate.

The winners of several more awards will be announced on the night of the ceremony:

 

10. THE PETER BARROW BURSARY AWARD - Sponsored by PBSK PARTNERSHIP

 

11. THE NORFOLK ICON AWARD -Sponsored by SWALLOWTAIL PRINT

 

12. THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS AWARDS-Supported by NORWICH SCHOOL

 

13. THE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD - Sponsored PSE LIVE

 

14. THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - In association with the EDP