Time to get your nominations in - Scotland’s cultural Oscars are returning with the third annual Sunday Herald Culture Awards.

The awards exist to do one important thing: celebrate the very best of Scottish culture, be it events, venues or artists. Scotland is a creative powerhouse the world over; in music, film, theatre, events and art.

If you are a part of Scotland’s treasured arts scene at home or abroad or indeed just want to nominate your favourites, we want to hear from you.

The event, in association with Edinburgh Napier University, is made up of 16 awards categories. Some categories are sponsored by companies including EventScotland – part of VisitScotland’s events directorate – and Cameron Presentations.

In previous years, the ceremony has hosted the likes of poet and broadcaster Liz Lochhead and star of the Outlander TV series Sam Heughan as well as having video links from Scots stars abroad such as Ewan McGregor and James McAvoy, amongst many talented others.

A panel of expert judges, all having bona fides in Scottish creative industries, will be chaired by Sunday Herald Editor Neil MacKay. Judges include writer and broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove, Dean of Arts & Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier University Pauline Miller Judd and Senior Events Manager at EventScotalnd Rhona Corscadden.

Neil Mackay said: (Quote)

Sponsor Quote/Napier:

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday July 12th at SWG3 in Glasgow and will cost £80 per ticket. Nominations are free. Table bookings are also available via the event website.

http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/cultureawards/

The Sunday Herald Culture Awards 2018 categories:

Behind the Scenes Award: for the unsung heroes of Scottish culture, across any medium. Showcases any behind the scenes roles from set designers to producers.

Best Actor (Screen) TV: for outstanding and powerful performance in TV across any genre whether a comedy or a dark drama.

Best Actor (Theatre): a performer who has captured their audience, no matter the genre, size or scale of the production.

Best dance Performer: for a mesmerizing dance performance, whether traditional, ballet, avant-garde or hip-hop.

Best Visual Artist: for painters, sculptors, photographers – anyone using visual multimedia to say something profound about our society.

Best Live Performance: best live audience show, no matter the size of the audience, production or the genre.

Cultural Event of the Year (Sponsored by EventScotland): Split into two categories for national and international events for the first time this year. We want to find the best event in or about Scotland that highlights our culture.

Best performing Arts Venue (Sponsored by Cameron Presents): For the best venue in the country, new or old, big or small.

Designer Award: across all disciplines, we are looking for designers continuing Scotland’s rich history at the cutting edge of design.

Best actor (Screen) Film: for the year’s best performance in film, across any genre or any production size.

Best Musical Artist: for artists active in the music industry at home and abroad, whilst packed venues are impressive this one will look at talent and ability alongside commercial success.

Best Musical Group: quite simply, same as above except for groups of two or more artists.

One to Watch (Sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University): Everyone has to start somewhere so this one is to recognise those already making waves as they start out in Scotland’s creative industries.

Best Writer: open to authors, poets, playwrights and the like. The best sellers and the unknowns will all be considered and judged on their ability to cast a spell over their readers.

Judges Choice Award: A standout nominee from the other categories picked by the judges.

Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University): for an individual, group or event that has had a lasting positive impact on our culture.

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The Sunday Herald Culture Awards are coming up and in addition to nominees for the event, we are also looking for entertainment on the night.

The event takes place in Glasgow’s trendy arts venue SWG3 on Thursday the 12th of July and we need dancers, singers and artists to entertain and amaze the Scots stars and attendees at the award ceremony for creatives.

If you or your group think you would be a good fit, get in touch via the awards website

http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/cultureawards/