Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.
The ceremony forms part of the closing weekend of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025 to 2026. The title was awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in recognition of the borough’s cultural heritage and creative sector.
Residents and organisations were invited to submit nominations across seven categories celebrating contributions to culture, heritage, creativity and community life.
The finalists are:
Health and wellbeing award
- Blessing Wheto Ogunjimi
- Skylight Circus Arts
- Soul Sisters
Community award
- Caring and Sharing
- Nigeria Community Association
- Skylight Circus Arts
Heritage award
- Cartwheel Arts
- South Asian Heritage Rochdale
- The Big Dig
Cultural event award
- Darnhill Festival
- Merhaba Festival
- South Asian Heritage Month
Creative of the year
- Hayley Garner
- Martina Coggins
- Seamus Kelly
Young creative of the year
- Hannah Adetubo
- Jordan Perris
- Poolera
Cultural legacy award
- Elizabeth White
- M6 Theatre Company
- Skylight Circus Arts
All finalists are either based in Rochdale borough or have delivered work that benefits residents, visitors or the local economy.
The Merhaba Festival, one of a huge range of events to take place during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for culture and communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“Rochdale has been full of more culture and creativity than ever over the past year and the calibre of this shortlist is a testament to the generosity, talent and resilience that defines Rochdale. I can’t wait to find out which of the deserving finalists wins on the night, I’m sure it’ll be a very close call.”
Estelle Rowe, chief executive of Your Trust, said:
“It’s been an incredibly exciting year for culture. All our finalists are extremely successful to get this far, and I wish them all the best of luck. We’re incredibly proud to be part of Rochdale Culture Awards, celebrating the creativity, passion and dedication that exists across the borough.”
Pete Courtie, head of culture and placemaking at Rochdale Development Agency, said:
“We’ve seen some fantastic nominations, really inspiring stuff and it’s a privilege to be part of it. These awards are shining a light and celebrating those who make a great contribution to the wealth of community culture that we’ve seen such a lot of over the past year.”
The awards are supported by Your Trust, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency, Culture Co op, Cartwheel Arts and Rochdale Borough Cultural Network.
More information about the finalists is available at rochdalecreates.co.uk. Further details about Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture can be found at rochdale.gov.uk.
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