Derry arts director tipped for top award

The director of a Derry-based performance arts group is in line for recognition after being nominated in the outstanding individuals’ section of the 2023 National Lottery Awards.

Cath McBride, from In Your Space Circus, has been shortlisted in the Arts, Culture and Film category because of her incredible work in the local community.

Now in its 24th year, In Your Space Circus aims to unleash the power of circus and street performance to ignite the imagination and inspire creativity to transform lives.

Cath and her team run a circus school for people of all ages and abilities and are responsible for amazing festivals and installations such as the Carnival of Colours and much of the Derry Halloween programming.

They work with more than 300 people each week, providing workshops for children, young people and older people, and perform at around 50 events and festivals each year, reaching audiences of in excess of 300,000.

Over the years, the organisation has received more than £640,000 of National Lottery funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Cath said: “I’m really touched to have been nominated for an award. The organisation is my passion, and I love the work we do.

“Bringing joy to people is what motivates our team. We thrive on providing unique opportunities and promoting happier lives for our beneficiaries.

“We are also proud to offer paid employment through ambitious, creative work for local artists – particularly during recent difficult times which have hit self-employed artists and trainers so hard.”

The National Lottery Awards are the annual celebration of the ordinary individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.

This year, 3,780 people and projects were nominated for the work they have carried out with the help of National Lottery funding.

In the next few weeks, a panel made up of representatives of The National Lottery and partners, will decide the winners in each of the individual categories.

Winners will be revealed in the autumn and will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their organisation and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.

Jonathan Tuchner, from The National Lottery, added: “The National Lottery Awards honour those who have stepped up and have gone the extra mile to make a difference in their communities, especially during these challenging times.

“Thanks to National Lottery players and the £30 million raised each week for good causes, thousands of individuals and projects throughout the UK have been making an incredible difference in their areas, and this is our chance to highlight and celebrate the exceptional work of these selfless local heroes.”

Cath McBride, from In Your Space Circus, has been shortlisted in the Arts, Culture and Film category

There will also be a Special Achievement Award to celebrate an outstanding individual whose selfless dedication has improved the lives of the people around them, especially during these challenging times.

In addition, an online public vote will be held this year to find The National Lottery’ UK Project of the Year.

These nominees will be whittled down to 16 finalists, with a UK-wide public vote in September deciding the winner.