Newcastle newspaper The Journal has announced the finalists for its 2012 Culture Awards. They are:
Arts Council Award
Songs from the Shipyards, The Unthanks and Richard Fenwick
A Sign in Space, part of BRASS, the Durham International Festival
Space Invasion, Northern Film and Media and Generator
Best Arts and Business Partnership
Northumbria University and New Writing North for the New Writers’ Award
Port of Tyne and Michael Chaplin for Tyne View
Banks Group and Blagdon Estate for Northumberlandia
Newcomer of the Year
Mariam Rezaei (Performance Artist)
Barbara Heslop (Actress)
Northern Stage – St Stephen’s Project
Performance of the Year
Rapunzel, BalletLorent, Gala Theatre Durham
The Price of Everything, Daniel Bye at Northern Stage, Newcastle
The Tin Ring, the Lit and Phil, Newcastle
Performing Artist of the Year
Hannabiell Saunders (musician)
The Cornshed Sisters (music)
Martin Hylton (dancer)
Renaissance Museums Award
Curious Case of ... Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Beadwork Journeys, Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Train Carriages, Bellingham Heritage Centre
Visual Artist of the Year
Richard Rigg
Kelly Richardson
Edmund Francis
Writer of the Year
Jason Cook
Lee Mattinson
Ann Cleeves
Best Event Durham
A Sign in Space, part of BRASS, the Durham International Festival
Brass and Vamos: Keep Your Hat On!
The Futureheads at Durham Cathedral
Best Event Northumberland
Peace Camp, Dunstanburgh
Teacups, Zebras and Dancing Kaisers, Wallington, November Club
The Great Boxing Booth Revival, Corbridge County Show
Best Event Sunderland
Legion – Kelly Richardson, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Field Music @ Independent, Sunderland
Undress: Redress, Washington Arts Centre
Best Event Teesside
Africa Express
AV Festival Launch, mima
Pacific Journey – Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough
Best Event Tyneside
Whitley Bay Film Festival
Gift – Gateshead International Festival of Theatre
Flowmill
Best Overall Event
To be announced on the night.
Special Contribution of North East Arts and Culture
To be announced on the night.
The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Durham Cathedral on 22nd April.