Image: Sky TV Press
By Jon Donnis
Sky Arts has announced the launch of 24-Hour Heroes, a new portrait series highlighting the people who keep the UK's arts world running around the clock. The initiative comes ahead of the Sky Arts Awards at The Roundhouse, London, on 16th September.
The series celebrates 24 unsung arts workers, from stage managers unlocking doors at dawn to cleaners and book editors working late into the night. It showcases the wide variety of roles that sustain creativity across the country.
On launch day, 27th August, Sky Arts will reveal the portraits on Instagram. Photographs have been taken by photographers across the UK, including Ricky Darko, Julie Broadfoot and Simon Murrell. The full collection will then be displayed at The Roundhouse during the Awards.
Those featured include stage managers, bar staff, cleaners, archive curators, book award judges, literary agents, directors, costume designers, wig makers, photographers and even Jelly Bean, a Jack Russell and Pomeranian mix who works as a canine wellbeing officer at the National Theatre of Scotland.
The participants come from a range of organisations across the UK, such as Soho Theatre, National Theatre Scotland, Youth Music, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Scottish Opera, Art UK, London Film School, Leeds City Council, Royal Theatre in London and Billy & Andy's Music School in Manchester.
Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: "Too often, attention goes only to those on stage or in front of the camera, but the truth is the arts are powered 24/7 by an army of extraordinary people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK arts world thriving. We want to champion the unsung Arts Heroes with the Arts Hero Award, the riggers, engineers, drivers, mentors and many more, and remind the public that the arts really are for everyone."
Patrick Ahaotu, cleaner and assistant building supervisor at National Theatre Scotland, said: "As one of the first points of contact with NTS, my job has given me the opportunity to work alongside people from all walks of life, talent, skills and backgrounds, which has helped in building my confidence and improving my communication skills."
Eliyah Reihana, receptionist and admin assistant at London Film School, added: "For me, the arts are about the people I meet every day, the friendships, the stories and the shared passion for creativity."
The 24-Hour Heroes series also marks the opening of nominations for the Arts Hero Award as part of the Sky Arts Awards. Members of the public and arts organisations can nominate their own Arts Heroes by 4th September at Sky Arts Awards website https://skyartsawards.sky/arts-hero-award.html
The Sky Arts Awards take place on 16th September at The Roundhouse, London, and celebrate the best of British and Irish culture across comedy, dance, film and literature, as well as opera, visual art and theatre, recognising both the talent in the spotlight and the essential work behind the scenes.
No comments:
Post a Comment