CHWA 2021 Awards: The Results
Collective Power Award in partnership with Ideas Alliance and The Lived Experience Network
" Through our discussions as judges, Outside Edge Theatre's work, which was regularly described as “life-saving” by participants, continued to present it’s strong resonance with the Collective Power theme. Consultative, responsive, people led in it’s problem-solving and constant pivoting throughout the pandemic, this organisation continued to provide creative and practical solutions to enable the community it serves to cope, create and connect. It reminded us of how many cultural and creative organisations, have stepped in to support their participants and communities to survive and adapt..."
" The judges felt that this dynamic project, a community and peer-led movement, really spoke to addressing the needs of often a forgotten community of people, whose experience has been dramatically affected by the pandemic. Lived experience, creativity, activism are interwoven throughout the on-going development and delivery of this project, and the potential of this work to grow and unite beyond its existing worldwide connections and reverberating impact, feels authentically rooted, tangible and now more relevant than ever."
" This unique and experience-led project and application captured our curiosity, imagination and our hearts; to us it spoke of how communities and wellbeing can be grown and nurtured through shared lived experience and the creation of safe spaces. We loved the warmth, vibrancy and inclusive nature of this work and the exploration of different cultural and ancestral modalities of healing and expression; presenting a new and different way to claim the interpretation of Collective Power."
Practising Well Award in collaboration with Nicola Naismith
" We were unanimous in selecting the winner of this year’s Practising Well Award. They are ‘a beacon of best practice for the sector’.
Recognising the deep impact of trauma on their artist practitioners the organisation promotes practicing self-compassion and kindness so that they can stay connected to the deep purpose within their work with others.
This organisation offers a nourishing space where artists and practitioners feel listened to, valued and trusted."
Climate in partnership with The Happy Museums Project and Culture Declares Emergency
" This outstanding project is ambitious, multi-solving, place based, concrete and creative.
Driven by the people power of volunteers and the needs of the local community in response to the impacts of climate change, this project provides sustained activity, creating deep impact for the wellbeing of it’s neighbourhood and it’s inhabitants. Although strongly rooted in lived experience and committed to the regeneration of it’s place, the approach of this project is curious and expansive, seeking and facilitating opportunities to build international connections and bring alternative perspectives into the fold."
" We were stuck by the gentle responsiveness and nurturing values that underpinned this project.
Providing crucial opportunities and supportive conditions for artists to connect, explore and discover together during a time of individual and collective challenge, this work opened the door for new connections and conversations to blossom with the community it serves, instigating and supporting people to explore their own experience of climate change and understanding their relationship with people, planet and place."
