York Culture Award win for York St John University

It won the Best Cultural Partnership category with illuminating York for their involvement with the night time festival in October last year.

York St John University is a long-standing sponsor of illuminating York, which is organised by Make It York, but this was the first time the partnership was developed and the festival extended to include the city’s oldest academic institution as a prominent venue. As part of the festival, which ran 26 – 29 October 2016, visitors were welcomed into the University’s historic quad with music, art and theatre performed by students. The focal point of the illuminating York event on campus was the inspiring light installation, ‘Lumen’ by artist David Ogle.

York St John University has been in partnership with Make It York since its launch in May 2015 and the two work closely on a number of collaborative promotions and projects which bring together the tourism, arts and higher education sectors for the benefit of multiple audiences in and beyond the city of York.

Winners were revealed at a celebration of culture in the city held in York Minster on 23 November. Musical performances on the evening included songs by Converge’s Communitas Choir. Converge is a partnership between York St John University and mental health service providers in the York region.

Other award winners included York River Art Market (Best Community Project or Event), Park Grove Primary Academy (Excellence in Cultural Education) and York Festival of Ideas (Best Cultural Event or Festival).

Jane Lady Gibson, chair of Make It York, said: “We are hugely proud of everyone who has been shortlisted and chosen as winners tonight. Every single of one of the finalists has made such a massive contribution to York’s success as a vibrant and inspiring city.”

York Culture Awards, now in their second year, were created to celebrate culture, arts and innovation in the city. Twelve winners were chosen, from 36 finalists, by a panel of independent judges. More than 70 entries were received.