Final call for star entries in Scotland’s lavish new ‘Cultural Oscars’

THERE are now just a few days left for Scotland’s best musicians, actors, artists, dancers and writers to put their names forward to be in with a chance of scooping an award in the nation’s new ‘Cultural Oscars’.

The deadline for the inaugural Sunday Herald Culture Awards is this Thursday and entries can still be submitted online.

There are 11 prizes up for grabs, with a lavish awards ceremony taking place on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at the SWG3 venue in Glasgow.

All entries will be judged by our panel of industry experts who include, author and playwright Alan Bissett, television and stage actor David Hayman, singer-songwriter Roddy Woomble, leading graphic designer and Creative Director at Graven Janice Kirkpatrick OBE, Dean of Arts & Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier University Pauline Miller Judd, journalist and broadcaster, Ruth Wishart, and actor Morven Christie. The panel will be chaired by Sunday Herald editor and author Neil Mackay.

Napier University’s Pauline Miller Judd said: “We’re very excited to sponsor the Cultural Event of the Year and I look forward to judging captivating entries across a broad range of events.

“For me, events that have produced great emotional responses in people and that live long in the memory will stand out in this category.”

Sunday Herald editor Neil Mackay said: “The Sunday Herald has always supported Scotland’s outstanding arts scene, and I am delighted that our first ever Culture Awards will give us the opportunity to showcase and recognise the best of the nation’s creative talent.

“But with just a few days left until entry deadline we want to make a final appeal to those who make such a contribution to Scotland’s culture to make sure they don’t miss out on getting recognition for their work and for them to send their entries as soon as they can.”

The awards will include: Best Actor, Best Musical Artist, Best Visual Artist, Author of the Year, Cultural Event of the Year sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University, Best Live Performance sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne, Best Theatre Actor, Best Musical Group, Best Dance Performer, Best Performing Arts Venue sponsored by Cameron Presentations, The One to Watch Award, and the Judges’ Choice Moment.

The Scottish Culture Awards are supported by Edinburgh Napier University, Caledonian MacBrayne and Cameron Presentations.

Entries can be submitted free for the awards, in the categories mentioned above, at newsquestscotlandevents.com/ events/sunday-herald-culture-awards.