Norwich Theatre has been shortlisted for the prestigious Fantastic for Families Awards 2025, organised by the Family Arts Campaign. These national awards celebrate outstanding cultural initiatives that enrich family and community life across the UK.
This year’s shortlist highlights excellence across three categories:
Norwich Theatre’s project, Cultural Music Celebrations, has been recognised in the Audience Impact & Innovation category for its creative and inclusive approach to community engagement. The winners will be announced during an online ceremony on 20 November 2025.
Throughout 2024, Norwich Theatre collaborated with refugees and sanctuary seekers in Norwich and Diss to co-create four vibrant Cultural Music Celebrations. Led by artists Samia Malik and Pete Murdoch, the project brought together more than 150 participants through workshops, planning sessions, and music-making activities. These gatherings celebrated cultural identity, fostered connection, and offered moments of joy and belonging.
The initiative was delivered in partnership with Norwich International Youth Project, Norfolk County Council’s People from Abroad Team, and Cromwell Housing Association. Together, they created safe and welcoming spaces for families who have experienced significant trauma, enabling intergenerational celebration and cultural pride.
Sam Beal, Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre, said:
“Cultural Music Celebrations was co-created with local charities, community groups, and families living in asylum hotels in Norwich and Diss. Amidst the trauma and uncertainty of starting a new life, we hope these gatherings offered families moments of joy, connection, and hope. Through music, shared meals, and laughter, we saw a powerful sense of pride, visibility, and belonging emerge. Small but meaningful milestones in their journey.”
Anna Dever, Executive Director, Family Arts Campaign, said:
“The Fantastic for Families awards celebrate the incredible work taking place across the UK to create safe, welcoming and joyful experiences for families. The 2025 shortlist showcases inspiring examples of organisations, artists and venues working tirelessly to deliver outstanding artistic work and provide life-changing experiences for those most in need.”
The full shortlist of organisations is:
Best Family Arts Activity
This award celebrates high-quality family arts activities suitable for audiences and participants of all ages.
Junction Goole – Takeover Festival
Cap-a-Pie – Marvellous Microbes
Barnsley Libraries – The Story Shell
Unfolding Theatre – Here Be Dragons
Modus Arts – SoundHoppers
Bamboozle Theatre – The Backyard – Wildings Sessions
Taking Flight Theatre Company – Mae Gen Ti Ddreigiau/You’ve Got Dragons
The Hepworth Wakefield – Surreal Landscapes Family Programme
Pontefract Castle – Heritage for Youth
DMS Productions – The Mystery of … Show
Intergenerational Music Making – Family & Early Years Hubs Programme
Arts Trust Productions – Summer in the Park
Best Age Friendly Outreach
This category recognises outreach approaches, provided specifically for older people, such as age-friendly activities, events, creative resources, or broader forms of support and outreach.
The Octagon Theatre & Westlands Entertainment Venue– Parkinson Dance
Ascendance – Signature Moves
Arts Outburst – Thurrock Voices
City of Doncaster Council – Culture Services – Culture Nature: Danum Community Garden
Akademi – Dance Well
Women Over Fifty Film Festival (WOFFF) – WOFFF x Virgin Atlantic Dementia Friendly Cinema
Goofus Theatre – Reach Intergenerational Magic
Audience Impact and Innovation Award
This award recognises the achievements of creative organisations or cultural event organisers who have demonstrated innovation and adaptability to reach and make a difference to families in need.
Starcatchers Productions – Cashback for Young Parents
Norwich Theatre – Cultural Music Celebrations
The Herd – Counting Sheeps
National Maritime Museum x Seaglass Collective – Message in a Bottle
Theatre Porto – Sanctuary Programme
Oily Cart – When the World Turns – Flexible Programme
Theatre Hullabaloo – Place to Play
Fantastic For Families Awards are given by Family Arts Campaign, the national Investment Principles Support Organisation for arts engagement and families, funded by Arts Council England.