Achates Philanthropy Prize has announced its two winners for 2019. Established in 2016, the prize aims to encourage first-time giving to arts organisations.
World Heart Beat Music Academy and Nick Thomlinson won the Individual Philanthropy Award, while Candoco Dance Company and ASOS collected the Corporate Award. The two organisations will each get GBP5,000 (€5,800)
Candoco is a professional dance company, known for its distinctive shows that mix dance and performance art. It is also an inclusive troupe that features both disabled and non-disabled dancers. World Heart Beat Music Academy, meanwhile, provides music education and personal development opportunities for children and young people from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds living in Wandsworth.
“2019 is the fourth year of the prize, and I can genuinely say that the ground is shifting,” said prize founder Caroline McCormick. “We saw a 65% increase in nominations this year – covering every art form, organisational scale and geographical region – but most importantly we saw the highest quality of nominations to date.”
Meanwhile Hackney Shed, Square Chapel Arts Centre, Northern Ireland Opera, Streatham Space and Writing West Midlands each receive inaugural Achates Philanthropy Prize Bursaries. They each will benefit from a bespoke fundraising masterclass.