March 2022

Authors: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and King’s College London

This publication celebrates the people, organisations and stories behind the second Award for Civic Arts Organisations, an initiative from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and King’s College London. It profiles the ten organisations shortlisted for the Award through a series of case studies written and researched by postgraduate students at King’s College London. It also features reflections from the independent judging panel, an article on the broader civic arts movement, and infographics on this year’s applicants – including what they do, where they’re based, their size and impact of the pandemic on their work.

This year’s Award sought to shine a light on how UK arts organisations have responded in innovative ways to the pandemic. The organisations featured in this publication show how the sector is embracing its civic role and how – through co-creation and deepening engagement with communities – arts organisations can drive positive individual and social change, even in the toughest times.

Open to UK-based arts organisations in receipt of public funding, the Award provides funding totalling £150,000, as well as further support for the recipients to embed their work and share learning.