The Creative Edinburgh Awards has become a welcome milestone for Edinburgh’s art and culture community since its first outing in 2012, having established itself as a way to honour the grassroots creators and organisers plying their trade across the city. This year proved no different with a ceremony at Tolcross Hall which honoured 35 finalists (representing individuals, projects, and organisations) shortlisted across eight distinct categories.

Opening the evening was Brass Blast, an award-winning youth project run by Oi Musica, who gave an energetic performance before ceding the stage to spoken-word poet Kevin Mclean, who hosted the evening and recited some of his work in between award announcements. 

Winners received a bespoke handmade trophy created by students from Edinburgh College, along with an exclusive risoprint poster designed by local graphic designer Rachel Cartledge and printed by Out Of The Blueprint.

Amongst the winners was Morvern Cunningham, honoured in part for their work on community cinema project Leith Kino and Whale Arts, amongst other ventures. Also in film was Take One Action’s Film Festival, the socially conscious film curation organisation which explored the theme of ‘real utopias’ in this year’s programme. Other winners include Edinburgh Open Workshop, Ying Gao and ASCUS Art & Science. 

Here’s the list of winners in full: 

Collaboration Award – The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl 
Community Award – Edinburgh Open Workshop 
Development Award – Ying Gao
Festivals Award – Take One Action Film Festivals  
Inclusion Award – Burst 
Innovation Award –ASCUS Art & Science
Leadership Award – Morvern Cunningham 
Student Award – Evans Eghan