Nominees announced for new Sky Arts Hero AwardBehind-the-scenes champions of arts and culture from Birmingham, Aberystwyth, London, Bristol and Edinburgh, celebrated as part of the inaugural Sky Arts Awards this SeptemberTuesday 3 September 2024
Sky has today announced the nominees for its Arts Hero Award, a first-of-its-kind category for the new Sky Arts Awards. The ceremony, taking place on 17th September at The Roundhouse, will celebrate the diverse and vibrant landscape of British and Irish arts and culture, rewarding excellence across all arts disciplines. The event, which will air on Sky Arts and Freeview, will be a showcase of the immense talent and dedication that fuel the arts industry - including the behind-the-scenes heroes whose efforts are integral to the success of the arts and culture scene.
Sky Arts invited the arts community to nominate their unsung heroes earlier this summer. Following an overwhelming response, they can now reveal the five nominees for the Arts Hero Award. From a singer who supports children on life support to an art technician who mentors young curators, these extraordinary individuals were selected by the judging panel for their unwavering dedication and profound impact on the arts, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of countless productions, exhibitions and performances.
Meet the nominees for the Arts Hero Award:
Graham Johnson, Producer working with Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, who is known for developing emerging producers and advocating for wellbeing in the arts industry. Through the Blueprint training and mentorship, Graham has provided essential support to emerging artists, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Graham's dedication to creating a kinder, more accessible arts environment has had a lasting impact on those they mentor, making them a crucial figure in supporting new talent and promoting mental health in the arts.
Graham said: To have my efforts recognised in such a public and meaningful way is incredibly moving. This nomination is not just a personal achievement, its a reminder that the work I'm passionate about genuinely matters - supporting the next generation of producers and making the arts more inclusive and accessible. It fuels my commitment to continue striving for a more compassionate and supportive arts community, where the impact of our work resonates beyond the immediate projects and creates lasting change. The arts hold a unique power to make people feel seen, understood and valued.
Linda Hogg, Head of Customer Services and Front of House at Capital Theatres in Edinburgh, has dedicated 30 years to enhancing the Scottish arts sector. Known for her exceptional work ethic and kindness, Linda has created a welcoming atmosphere at Capital Theatres, earning high praise from audiences and colleagues alike. Her contributions extend beyond the theatre, including volunteer work during COVID and personal acts of kindness. Lindas leadership and attention to detail have left a lasting mark on Edinburgh's cultural scene.
Linda said: When I heard about the nomination, I was genuinely touched. Every day in this role is a mix of challenges and rewards, and to have that dedication acknowledged is heartwarming. It's not just about me, though - it's about the entire team that makes the magic happen. This nomination feels like a win for all of us.
Mikei Hall, Senior Art Handling Technician at the Tate Britain in London, has spent over 30 years at the gallery, where he has become a beloved and highly respected figure. Mikei has worked on numerous exhibitions, including more Turner Prize exhibitions than any other technician, and is celebrated within the artistic and curatorial community as someone who can provide advice and support in any situation. Mikei is also incredibly passionate and vocal about supporting the new generation of artists and curators and puts particular energy into the mentorship of young people of colour.
Mikei commented: To me, this nomination represents not just my work, but the efforts of many behind the scenes who often go unrecognised. It's about acknowledging the value of every role in the arts, from the technicians to the volunteers. My journey, coming from a humble background and facing barriers in the arts, now feels like it might inspire others who see that their contributions matter. This award is a step towards breaking down barriers and showing that everyone, regardless of their background, can make a meaningful impact in the arts."
Sally Spencer, who is a singer with Ex Cathedra, and a children's leukaemia nurse at Birmingham Children's Hospital for nearly 25 years. She was the driving force behind Ex Cathedra's Singing Medicine project, which she continues to co-lead 20 years later. The project brings singing for wellbeing to children in hospital, including those who are extremely vulnerable in protective isolation. During the pandemic, Sally and the Singing Medicine team created thousands of personalised music videos for children when in-person visits were not possible. Sally brings together her extensive nursing experience with her passion for music to her leadership and compassionate support of the Singing Medicine team enabling them to work in what can be distressing situations, such as delivering singing sessions at end-of-life care. Sally was integral in adapting Singing Medicine to support adults affected by stroke and dementia, making a significant impact in these areas as well.
Sally shared her reaction to being nominated: I'm truly honoured, but this recognition really belongs to the whole Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine team. Every week, we go into the hospital to bring music and singing-play to children, responding and adapting to their needs - whether it's soothing a newborn with lullabi
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
03/06/2026
RT has today announced Heineken 0.0 as the broadcast sponsor of their FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
The sponsorship, brokered by Dentsu, will see Heineken 0....
02/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
02/06/2026
Powerful new vocal-production tool announced
Described as a vocal performance station , Klevgrand's latest plug-in combines pitch-correction with harmo...
02/06/2026
Launched alongside Go Green sale extension
McDSP have just released the latest addition to their APB line-up, DC-2 Dual Compressor, and have also announced ...
02/06/2026
Create custom tools for Ableton Live 12 Suite
Ableton have just introduced a new open JavaScript toolkit that allows anyone to create their own custom tools...
02/06/2026
Now features full H90 algorithm library
Eventide have announced the upcoming launch of the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, a new and improved version of their hugely p...
02/06/2026
Plus UAD Half Yearly Sale now live
The latest arrival to the Universal Audio range delivers a new native pitch-correction plug-in that's capable of deli...
02/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to present comprehensive performance, conformance and spectrum-m...
02/06/2026
BTL Laboratory becomes Taiwan's first test house with a CTIA Certification c...
02/06/2026
If you've kept up with this article series, you know by now where to start w...
02/06/2026
With new DSP configurations and flexible licensing options, Calrec is removing the barriers to virtualised audio, giving broadcasters the freedom to scale produ...
02/06/2026
02 Jun 2026
VEON Closes USD 1.4 Billion Bond Offering, Refinancing 2027 Notes A...
02/06/2026
Praise for series three:
The Times - sun-dappled pleasure
The Daily Mail - The Homes Counties' Charlie's Angels
The Sun - 4* this [is an] enjoya...
02/06/2026
Wuppertal June 2, 2026
Gudrun Scharler Appointed CEO of Riedel Networks The Riedel Group today announced the appointment of Gudrun Scharler as CEO of Riedel N...
02/06/2026
Trust has become a commercial issue With global advertising spend forecast to exceed US$1 trillion this year*, the commercial consequences of weak governance co...
02/06/2026
June sees Ireland's cultural calendar in full bloom, as RT Supporting the Arts showcases a vibrant and wide-ranging programme spanning music, theatre, visu...
02/06/2026
After The Traitors Ireland launched in 2025, Irish audiences proved to have a taste for the global hit reality show. This Bank Holiday Monday fans can indulge e...
01/06/2026
Category line-up & sponsors announced
Photo: Paul Clarke
The Production Music Awards (PMA) have announced that submissions are now officially open ahead of...
01/06/2026
New hybrid sample/synthesis instrument revealed
Excite Audio have just released the latest instalment in their Evolve series, which has been developed in co...
01/06/2026
Latest TONEX expansion captures three rare vintage amps
The newest addition to IK Multimedia's ever-growing TONEX line-up introduces a set of three incr...
01/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
01/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz Satellite Industry Days 2026 guided by the motto From Earth to ...
01/06/2026
Luxembourg, June 1, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, launched fast and reliable multi-orbit satelli...
01/06/2026
Mardi 2 juin 14h00
FilmLight (ARRI), 10 rue Ren Boulanger, 75010 Paris
Rejoignez-nous pour d couvrir comment FLAPI (l'API FilmLight) peut transformer e...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
29/05/2026
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify's global edito...
29/05/2026
New retro-inspired MPC announced
There are few devices that have gained the status held by Akai Pro's MPC range, and in recent years, the company have s...
29/05/2026
Save up to 30 on acclaimed titles
Following a successful launch at Superbooth 2026, Bjooks have revealed that they will be continuing the Kickstarter campa...
29/05/2026
Binaural monitoring application improved
Genelec have just released an update that brings some powerful new features to their HRTF-based binaural headphone ...
29/05/2026
6 June 2026 at SAE Institute, London, UK
IMSTA FESTA 2026 is almost upon us, with some of the biggest names in pro-audio set to descend upon SAE Institute i...
29/05/2026
cetecom advanced certifies Rohde & Schwarz test solution for hybrid and Next Gen...
29/05/2026
May 29 2026, 09:00 (PDT) Dolby and rednote Bring More Immersive Storytelling to...
29/05/2026
Youtube exclusive special drops today
Watch now
UKTV today announces another e...
29/05/2026
Genelec announces V2.1 for Aural ID binaural headphone monitoring application posted: 29/05/2026
Aural ID 2.1 enhances binaural monitoring for stereo and ...
29/05/2026
At just 20 years old, Sean Melia from Summerhill Co. Meath has been revealed as the winner of Super Garden 2026. Sean is the youngest ever contestant and winner...
28/05/2026
Thomsons Climate Crisis Toolkit is already being put to work, helping journalist...
28/05/2026
A little refresh can go a long way. We've been making behind-the-scenes upda...
28/05/2026
Since early last year, our quarterly Creator Milestone Awards have celebrated podcasts from around the world that hit major streaming milestones on Spotify. Tod...
28/05/2026
New software-based MIDI multi-clock announced
Rapid Flow have just announced the launch of a new MIDI utility plug-in that aims to solve one of the most per...
28/05/2026
Company introduce most affordable interface yet
SSL's range of audio interfaces has just gained its latest, and smallest member, the SSL 1. Designed to ...
28/05/2026
New compact drum machine & sampler announced
The latest instrument from Sonicware sees the company kick off an all-new Deconstruct series with a compact dru...
28/05/2026
Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority modernizes nationwide ATC voice communications...
28/05/2026
Comscore Announces Appointment of Matt McLaughlin as Chief Executive OfficerJon Carpenter to remain as Senior Advisor to the Board and CEO
Global business lead...
28/05/2026
Wuppertal May 28, 2026
Berliner Ensemble Upgrades Backstage Infrastructure With Riedel Stage SystemsRiedel Communications today announced that Berliner Ensemb...
28/05/2026
Harmonic's Software-Based XOS Advanced Media Processor Powers Cost-Efficient 24/7 Channel Origination and Direct-to-Consumer Delivery
SAN JOSE, Calif. - M...
28/05/2026
RT presents Wild Conamara, a two-part natural history documentary that brings a...
Nominees announced for new Sky Arts Hero AwardBehind-the-scenes champions of arts and culture from Birmingham, Aberystwyth, London, Bristol and Edinburgh, celebrated as part of the inaugural Sky Arts Awards this SeptemberTuesday 3 September 2024
