Industry Update: Cultural Enterprises Awards Shortlist Reveals Outstanding Showcase of Innovation and Best Practice in Cultural Income Generation

The Association for Cultural Enterprises is delighted to announce an incredible line-up of Finalists in this year’s Cultural Enterprises Awards, an inspirational showcase of talent, creativity and success in cultural income generation.

In times of economic challenges and funding cuts, it has never been more important to share best practice and new ideas in revenue generation. The Cultural Enterprises Awards are the only industry awards that recognise commercial innovation and success, as well as best practice in environmental sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion.

This year for the first time, entries were open to all arts, heritage and cultural organisations, including those that are not currently members of the Association – making the Awards more competitive than ever, with more opportunities to showcase success, innovation and best practice.

A total of 42 entries have been shortlisted across 14 categories covering all areas of commercial activity, as well as the coveted Rising Star and Team of the Year awards. The wide-ranging shortlist represents all types and sizes of cultural organisations, from unique venues like Delapré Abbey, Grimm & Co, the International Centre for Life and Kynren 11 Arches, to the National Trust, Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and Shakespeare’s Globe.

The Awards have been judged by a panel of well-known and highly respected industry experts from across the cultural sector and beyond, all chosen for their extensive experience and knowledge.

Simon Jones, Managing Director, Navigate judged the new Marketing Campaign of the Year award, saying, “I have witnessed the excitement around the Cultural Enterprises Awards for quite a few years … and this has made me realise why. The level of talent, quality and innovation across the entrants was brilliant to see.”

Fellow judge Rebecca Hossain, Director of Commercial and Operations, Sir John Soane’s Museum said, “The calibre and quality of the submissions demonstrates supreme entrepreneurialism, excellence of visitor experience, and something we have come to recognise more and more in our sector – real resilience. Groundbreaking and sector-leading – we have it all here and our heritage world feels in good hands.”

Cultural Enterprises CEO Gordon Morrison said, “Promoting commercial best practice within the cultural sector has never been more important given the urgent need for the sector to maximise income streams and identify new sources of money making. The Cultural Enterprises Awards provide a brilliant platform to showcase commercial excellence within the cultural sector and perform an essential role in providing inspiration and ideas on maximising income streams to cultural venues across the country.”

The winners will be announced at the highly anticipated Awards Party at the Museum of Liverpool on 12 March 2025 – a fantastic evening of celebration which will be one of the highlights of the Cultural Enterprises Conference.

See the full shortlist at: culturalenterprises.org.uk/awards

Finalists (l-r, clockwise): National Portrait Gallery, Marketing Campaign of the Year; International Centre for Life, Best Event; National Space Centre, Best Venue Hire Initiative.