Manchester's culture scene has taken a starring role on the world stage in the last year. We've hosted everything from legendary concerts to global awards shows.
Now, the Manchester Culture Awards are back for 2026 to celebrate our city’s creativity and talent. It’s time to shine a spotlight on the brilliant shows, people, projects, and organisations bringing our city to life.
What do we mean by culture?
Culture takes many forms. For these awards, nominees must be involved in at least one of the following areas:
- Heritage
- Visual art
- Music
- Theatre
- Performance
- Dance
- Film and broadcast media
- Literature
- Digital art
- Photography
- Craft
Who can be nominated?
To be eligible, nominees must meet the following criteria:
Location or impact
- They must be based within the city of Manchester (the specific area covered by Manchester City Council, rather than Greater Manchester); or
- They must have a proven track record of delivering activities that directly benefit Manchester residents, visitors, or the local economy.
- They must be based within the city of Manchester (the specific area covered by Manchester City Council, rather than Greater Manchester); or
- They must have a proven track record of delivering activities that directly benefit Manchester residents, visitors, or the local economy.
Timeframe
- Achievements must have taken place between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
What happens next?
The awards ceremony will take place this winter. You can see the full list of our incredible 2025 winners to get inspired before you submit a nomination.
Got a question? You can email our team at culture@manchester.gov.uk.