Sky Arts Awards calls for Arts Hero 2026 nominations, celebrating those championing the next generation
Sky Arts is calling on people across the UK to nominate their Arts Hero; someone whose encouragement, guidance or support is helping the next generation of creative talent thrive.
The Arts Hero Award, part of the Sky Arts Awards 2026, celebrates the people working behind the scenes to make a lasting difference through the arts. From teachers who spot potential to mentors who build confidence and community champions who create opportunities to take part, the award recognises those helping others develop their creativity.
As the only awards to celebrate the arts in their entirety, The Sky Arts Awards are a key date in awards season. Unlike other awards, the Sky Arts Awards celebrates the entire gamut of creativity; from classical music and film to comedy, poetry and beyond. This year’s awards theme is focused on future talent, in light of the challenges that are facing young people today.
Nominations are open until midnight on 24th September, inviting the public to shine a light on the people making a difference in their communities.
The call comes as research commissioned by the Sky Arts Awards reveals that 61% of UK adults believe mentors behind creative careers rarely receive enough recognition.
The research also highlights how encouragement can make a difference across people’s lives. Among adults who said someone had significantly encouraged them to pursue a talent, passion or profession, 43% said that person built their confidence.
That influence can reach beyond the person first supported: 59% of those encouraged said they already pass on the support, wisdom or encouragement they received to others.
Through the Arts Hero Award, Sky Arts is celebrating the people doing this for young creative talent and giving the public an opportunity to recognise their contribution.
Shappi Khorsandi, comedian, author and Sky Arts Awards juror, said: “Behind so many creative careers is someone who spotted potential, nurtured confidence and encouraged a person to keep going when things felt difficult.
“Many people can pinpoint a moment when somebody saw something in them before they saw it in themselves.
“Behind every artist, performer, writer or creative career recognised on-stage at the awards is often someone working quietly in the background, offering support, guidance and belief.
“They may never seek recognition, but their impact can last a lifetime.”
Phil Edgar-Jones OBE, Executive Director, Unscripted Content at Sky, said: “Talent isn’t confined to any one background, but opportunity clearly isn’t evenly distributed.
“For anyone looking to break into the arts, having just one person say ‘you can do this’ can be incredibly powerful. A teacher, mentor or youth worker can help someone see a future for themselves that they might otherwise have thought wasn’t possible.
“The Sky Arts Hero Award is about celebrating those often-unseen people whose belief can genuinely change the direction of someone’s life.
“We want the public to tell us who those people are so we can celebrate their contribution at this year’s Sky Arts Awards.”
The Sky Arts Awards celebrate the best of British and Irish arts and culture, spanning disciplines from opera and poetry to popular music, television and comedy. This year’s ceremony takes place on 13th October 2026 at The Roundhouse, London.
To nominate your Sky Arts Hero, visitwww.skyartsawards.sky/arts-hero-award by midnight, 24th September 2026
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