Storyhouse is delighted to have won a major national award for Excellence in Arts Education.
The accolade, which is given to an organisation which passionately promotes and develops arts education, was presented at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards during a ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall last night.
The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of theatre across the country, recognising the remarkable contributions UK theatre members make to the industry.
They include 11 ‘on stage’ award categories and five ‘off stage’ which recognise venues’ work around innovation, inclusivity and workforce, as well as three special awards.
Storyhouse won the Excellence in Arts Education award for its wide-ranging programme with and for young people.
The Hunter Street creative hub works extensively with young people and children through its Young Storyhouse programme.
This includes a youth theatre, young company, a young leaders programme, young readers, young programmers, half term activities and summer holiday clubs, trainee and mentorship schemes, a BFI film academy and a comprehensive creative programme for schools.
Storyhouse works with local partners including schools, colleges, charities, social and probation services, to ensure it can reach children who are often the most disadvantaged.
It is one of only two organisations in Chester working with NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people aged 14 to 25, while the Young Storyhouse pastoral support lead enables young people to have one-to-one assistance to help remove any barriers to engagement and supports young leaders on their long-term future once they have finished their programme.
Storyhouse also has strong relationships with providers such as the city’s Ancora House (an inpatient unit for young people) and Crossroads Together (young carers), delivering intensive programmes that support their young people to thrive and ultimately join a young leaders programme.
And along with work on stages, it is also working to improve access to the cultural sector by training the next generation of cultural leaders through Young Storyhouse.
Young Storyhouse Programme Manager Hayley Lindley Thornhill said:
We’re delighted to receive this award, and we’re so, so proud of the work that we do with young people.
It’s crucial now more than ever that we ensure our spaces are open for young people to explore, to play, to express themselves and be safe to daydream in, and to know that they have a huge part to play in the world.
Find out more here.
For more information or interviews, contact:
Nancy Davies
Marketing and PR Manager
Storyhouse
07886 743531
About Storyhouse
Storyhouse is one of the UK’s foremost cultural centres incorporating a library, theatres and a cinema. It is one of the country’s most successful arts buildings, with more than one million customer visits each year.
The pioneering new library within Storyhouse, where members of the community work alongside city librarians, boasts the longest opening hours of any UK public library and is open every day until 11pm. It runs over 2,000 sessions a year for marginalised communities
The company also runs a highly successful theatre company and the country’s most successful regional open-air theatre, in the city’s Grosvenor Park and Moonlight Flicks open air cinema.
Storyhouse currently holds the official title as the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre and was the overall national winner in the 2018 Guardian Public Service Awards
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