A Mansfield man has been shortlisted in the National Campaign for the Arts’ (NCA) Hearts For The Arts Awards 2021, which celebrate the unsung heroes of local authorities championing the arts.

Andy Dawson, manager at Inspire Youth Arts, has been nominated for Best Arts Champion – Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker for his work as service manager, strategically planning and securing funds to deliver create journeys for young people across Nottinghamshire.

Andy said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award, but without the amazing team of colleagues and artists I work with it just wouldn’t be possible to achieve what we have over the past 20 plus years, constantly striving to improve the lives of young people in Nottinghamshire through the arts.”

This year’s Hearts for the Arts Award winners will be selected from the shortlist by a judging panel of key arts industry experts and practitioners, including:

Le Gateau Chocolat, Drag artiste and cabaret performer
Paul Hartnoll, musician, composer, founder member of Orbital
Adrian Lester CBE, actor and director
Petra Roberts, Cultural Development Manager, Hackney Council (2020 winners for the Windrush Generations Festival)
Samuel West, actor, director, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts

Despite the hardships faced by local authorities in 2020, this year’s awards have seen the NCA receive a record-breaking number of nominations as local communities turned to the arts for solace, strength and connectivity during the pandemic.

Discussing Andy’s nomination, Hearts for the Arts Award partners said: “Wow! Andy is outstanding. His work for young people and the arts in Nottinghamshire is far reaching. He is evidently a tireless campaigner for the arts and his positive attitude and big picture approach has led to significant impact in many areas, and has ensured culture has a real voice in the larger organisation.”

Under normal circumstances the Inspire Youth Arts team usually deliver a range of music, dance and digital projects from its Mansfield base (at The Old Library on Leeming Street) and across the whole of Nottinghamshire, including a mixture of workshops, events, installations and showcases, usually reaching 1500-2000 young people each year.

However, from the start of lockdown much of its programme has been successfully moved online. It is part of Inspire, which delivers culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. For more information visit www.inspireculutre.org.uk/iya

The winners of the Hearts for the Arts Awards 2021 will be announced on Valentine’s Day, 14th February.