The Emerge Awards celebrated the diversity and artistic merits of emerging creative talent from all backgrounds across the UK.

With cash prizes, an incredible panel of 40+ industry judges and exposure in the media, we wanted to make a case for safeguarding the interests of those in the creative industries.

Celebrating the next generations of diverse creative talent in the UK.

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The Competition

Why Emerge?

The future of our creative industries depends on the next generations of creative talent receiving adequate support and encouragement. With Emerge, we aimed to represent the interests of budding creative talent in a rapidly changing economic and geopolitical climate.

Submissions were accepted across a variety of creative categories: Architecture, Art, Craft, Creative Writing, Design, Digital Art, Fashion, Film, Gaming, Music, Performance and Photography.

How it worked

Accessibility and diversity were at the core of Emerge. With the help of our partners, Zealous put the word out to up and coming creative talent across the UK.

2,200+ submissions were accepted on Zealous. Each prize category was shortlisted to 15 submissions, from which the top 3 finalists were selected by top industry judges.

We celebrated all 36 finalists and announced the 12 winners at an exclusive awards event in London. Find out more about the event.

Judges

Amanda Nevill CBE

CEO
BFI


Yinka Shonibare MBE RA


Craig Hassall AM

Chief Executive
Royal Albert Hall


Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE

Double Bassist; Artistic & Executive Director
Chineke! Foundation


James Lingwood

Co-Director
Artangel


Brett Rogers OBE


Will Alsop OBE

Stirling Prize winning Architect
aLL Design


Winners

Architecture

Khanh Nguyen - 'Vertical Villages'


Art

Maxwell Rushton - ‘Drawn Out’


Craft

Pinkie Maclure - ‘Radical Stained Glass’


Creative writing

Emma-Marie Smith - ‘The Window Doll’


Design

Katie O’Rourke - ‘Body Positivity Campaign‘


Digital Art

Jake Moore - ‘Dreams in Ultraviolet‘


Fashion

James Reeves - ‘Graduate Collection‘


Film

Elizabeth Mizon - ‘Borders’


Gaming

Liam Comerford - ‘Empires of the Undergrowth‘


Music

Breantonia - 'Organic EP'


Performance

Lanre Malaolu - ‘Figure’


Photography

Nicholas White - ‘Black Dots’


Partners

We’re only able to celebrate the true diversity of the UK’s creative industries with the help of others. Our thanks go to the amazing organisations below for supporting Emerge.

Partners

Network Partner

Comms' Partner

Venue Partner

Creative Partners

For offering to share our competition with emerging talent across their networks. Want to help us get the word out?

Find creative opportunities like Emerge

Showcase your work from multiple disciplines in one portfolio. Submit to open calls for prizes, exhibitions, paid opportunities and more.

“What a great way of shining light on and developing emerging talent! I feel privileged to have had access to the work of an amazing array of artists.”

Peter Higgin – Co-founder of Punchdrunk and Emerge Performance judge

“We’re from a small town on the Isle of Wight where opportunities like these don’t happen too often. We’re incredibly grateful and recommend it to anyone wanting to progress in their creative field.”

Nakamarra – Emerge Music Prize finalists

“It’s incredible to share work that’s so close to your heart and be commended by leading industry figures, so I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

Emma-Marie Smith – Emerge Creative Writing Prize winner