The Association for Cultural Enterprises, a charity and trade body for the arts, heritage, and cultural sector, has announced the finalists in this year’s Cultural Enterprises Awards.
Sharing effective strategies and innovative ideas for generating revenue is essential during challenging economic times and funding cuts. The Cultural Enterprises Awards are unique in acknowledging innovation and success in the industry while also highlighting best practices in environmental sustainability and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
For the first time, entries were open to all arts, heritage, and cultural organisations, including those not currently affiliated with the Association. This change has made the Awards more competitive, increasing opportunities to highlight success, innovation, and best practices.
Showcasing commercial excellence
A total of 42 entries have been selected from 14 categories that encompass all aspects of commercial activity, including the prestigious Rising Star and Team of the Year awards.
This diverse shortlist showcases various types and sizes of cultural organisations, featuring distinctive venues such as Delapré Abbey, Grimm & Co. (pictured, top), the International Centre for Life, and Kynren 11 Arches, alongside renowned entities like the National Trust, Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard, and Shakespeare’s Globe.
The Awards have been judged by a panel of well-known and highly respected industry experts from across the cultural sector and beyond.
Simon Jones, managing director of Navigate, judged the new Marketing Campaign of the Year award. He says: “I have witnessed the excitement around the Cultural Enterprises Awards for quite a few years … and this has made me realise why. The level of talent, quality and innovation across the entrants was brilliant to see.”
Fellow judge Rebecca Hossain, director of commercial and operations at Sir John Soane’s Museum, adds: “The calibre and quality of the submissions demonstrates supreme entrepreneurialism, excellence of visitor experience, and something we have come to recognise more and more in our sector – real resilience. Groundbreaking and sector-leading – we have it all here, and our heritage world feels in good hands.”
Cultural Enterprises CEO Gordon Morrison says: “Promoting commercial best practice within the cultural sector has never been more important given the urgent need for the sector to maximise income streams and identify new sources of money making.
“The Cultural Enterprises Awards provide a brilliant platform to showcase commercial excellence within the cultural sector and perform an essential role in providing inspiration and ideas on maximising income streams to cultural venues across the country.”
See the full shortlist here.
The winners will be announced at the Awards Party at the Museum of Liverpool on 12 March 2025 an evening of celebration during the Cultural Enterprises Conference.
