Gallery’s top award winner Angie is all art

She has been awarded the prestigious Marsh Award for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement, seeing off competition from arts organisations and individuals across the UK.

Care Creatives gives young people who live in foster care, kinship care, residential care or who have recently left care, the chance to engage with the gallery’s remarkable collection and gain valuable skills to help them progress into employment or education.

Most recently, the group worked with renowned artist Peter Mitchell on a year-long photography and film project as part of his high-profile exhibition at the gallery, which featured a series of poignant images of Leeds from the 1970s and 1980s.

In past years, the group has worked with curators and artists including Jade de Montserrat, Harold Offeh and Jill McKnight, as well as on contemporary exhibitions at the gallery.

Esther Amis-Hughes, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ community engagement manager, said: “Angie is a dedicated, kind, and caring individual who goes above and beyond to support young people, particularly through her work at Leeds Art Gallery, and we’re incredibly proud of her for this thoroughly deserved award win.

“Angie is known for her inclusivity, empathy, and unwavering support, organising workshops, networking opportunities, and trips, and giving individuals the chance to lead and boost their confidence. Her efforts have positively impacted so many young people, helping them build careers in the arts and create strong networks, and it’s great to see her efforts recognised.”

The Marsh Award for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement, run in partnership with Engage, celebrate the achievements of those working in learning, participation and engagement within visual arts contexts in the UK and internationally.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “Museums and galleries have an incredibly important role to play in preserving and celebrating history, heritage and culture.

“But as the Care Creatives demonstrate, they also make a huge social impact by engaging and inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds in our communities, supporting them to access arts, culture and a wealth of opportunities.

“People like Angie are absolutely integral to the success of that work and I’d like to congratulate her on this amazing award.”

The Care Creatives meet once a week and the project is free to join. If you are care experienced and aged 14-24, to get involved, email youth.curator@leeds.gov.uk

For more details, visit: Care Creatives | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

Leeds Museums and Galleries works with young adults in Leeds on a range of exciting, behind the scenes opportunities across their Youth Collective activities.

To find out more about the service's youth engagement activities, including the Youth Collective, visit: Young Adults | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

ENDS