Leading names lined up to judge Scotland’s new ‘cultural Oscars’

The full line-up of leading names from the creative world who will judge Scotland’s ‘cultural Oscars’ can now be revealed.

A panel of eight judges will choose the best of Scotland’s musicians, actors, visual artists, dancers, writers and events for the inaugural Sunday Herald Culture Awards, a major new event celebrating the country’s world-class artistic scene.

The judges include author and playwright Alan Bissett, television and stage actor David Hayman, singer songwriter Roddy Woomble and actress Morven Christie, who starred in the recent BBC series The A Word.

Leading graphic designer and creative director at Graven, Janice Kirkpatrick OBE, Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries at Napier University Pauline Miller Judd and journalist and broadcaster Ruth Wishart will also have the tricky task of selecting the best of the entries.

The judging panel will be chaired by Sunday Herald editor and author Neil Mackay.

Entries can be submitted for free online – but the deadline of Thursday June 2 is now looming, at less than two weeks away.

The Sunday Herald Culture Awards have 11 categories, recognising the top artists, venues and events.

The awards will include: Best Actor, Best Musical Artist, Best Visual Artist, Author of the Year, Cultural Event of the Year sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University, Best Live Performance sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne, Best Theatre Actor, Best Musical Group, Best Dance Performer, Best Performing Arts Venue sponsored by Cameron Presentations, The One to Watch Award, and the Judges’ Choice Moment.

Pauline Miller Judd, Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries at Napier University, said: “Working with our arts students, I see something new and exciting every day and I know this is true across the Scottish scene. We’re very excited to sponsor Cultural Event of the Year and I look forward to judging captivating entries across a broad range of events.

“For me, events that have produced great emotional responses in people and that live long in the memory will stand out in this category.”

Adam Cameron, Business Manager at Cameron Presentations, said: “As a service provider for the arts and entertainment industry we are pleased to be supporting the Sunday Herald Culture Awards and we can’t wait to hear more about this year’s entrants.”

Peter Griffiths, Marketing Manager at Caledonian MacBrayne, said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the talent on show, it is a pleasure to be able to support some of the most exciting cultural acts from all over Scotland.”

Sunday Herald editor Neil Mackay added: “The Sunday Herald has always championed the Scottish arts. We are delighted to be launching these ‘Oscars’, and recognising the outstanding talent this nation produces.”

Entries can be submitted free for the awards, in the categories mentioned above.

The entry deadline is Thursday, June 2, 2016, enter today.