Nominations have opened for the Creative Edinburgh Awards 2026, as the organisation launches its search for the city\u2019s most inspiring creative individuals, organisations and projects.<\/p>\n
Marking the 15th anniversary of the Awards, Creative Edinburgh recently brought together a number of past winners to reflect on their achievements since receiving recognition and to encourage others to put themselves forward this year.<\/p>\n
Since launching in 2012, the Creative Edinburgh Awards have recognised more than 150 creative individuals and organisations, celebrating contributions across the city\u2019s arts, culture and creative sectors.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s winners will be announced at a special anniversary ceremony taking place on 13 November at Central Hall, Edinburgh, with nominations open across eight categories.<\/p>\n
Katie Ailes of I Am Loud CIC, whose Loud Poets Grand Slam Final won the Collaboration Award in 2023, said: \u201cThe thing I really love about the Creative Edinburgh Awards is that it is celebrating the creativity that is in Edinburgh year-round. Winning the award really felt like the community saying: hell yeah, we\u2019re behind that, and we agree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Creative Edinburgh says one of the Awards\u2019 greatest strengths is the lasting network it creates, with past winners continuing to collaborate and support one another long after receiving recognition.<\/p>\n
Jiayi Chen, founder of female artist collective The Great Her and winner of the Student Award in 2023, said: \u201cIt\u2019s not only just an award ceremony. Creative Edinburgh has monthly events; people gather together to share opinions, find ambitious people, share a similar mindset. You\u2019re not lonely, and you have a community behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fiona Watt, co-founder of Girls Rock School and a 2018 winner, added: \u201cIt encourages people to work towards something, knowing they\u2019re going to get formal recognition, and it can help with applying for funding elsewhere. It\u2019s a really good way of recognising creative effort and encouraging others to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several former winners also spoke about the long-term impact the Awards have had on their careers and organisations.<\/p>\n
Independent Award winner Sarah Kwan credited the recognition with helping to create new opportunities. She said: \u201cI was the first artist in residence for the National Museum of Scotland at their drawing event. It was opportunities like that I don\u2019t think I would have gotten if Creative Edinburgh hadn\u2019t supported me and given me this award.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suzanne Loftus of Cutting Edge Theatre, which won the Inclusion Award in 2023, said: \u201cIt opened up new funding routes straight away. We gained more credibility \u2013 we were then able to describe ourselves as an award-winning theatre company. We are now multi-year funded by Creative Scotland, and we credit the award in 2023 as the beginning of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helena Good of Daydream Believers, winner of the Collaboration and Leadership Award in 2019, reflected on the organisation\u2019s growth since receiving the accolade. She said: \u201cI think that Creative Edinburgh saw what we were trying to do, and in giving us that award, they were saying: yes, there\u2019s something here. Keep dreaming big, and we believe in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Encouraging this year\u2019s nominations, Loftus added: \u201cJust do it. It\u2019s a game changer\u2026 thank you, Creative Edinburgh, for giving us a place at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n