Criccieth Town's Councillor Ffion Meleri Gwyn Wins Award For ‘Best Arts Champion

THE ART OF SHOWING CRICCIETH TOWN COUNCIL SOME LOCAL LOVE ON VALENTINES DAY

• CRICCIETH TOWN’S COUNCILLOR FFION MELERI GWYN WINS AWARD FOR ‘BEST ARTS CHAMPION – COUNCILLOR IN THE HEARTS FOR THE ARTS AWARDS 2022.
• AWARDS JUDGED BY HIGH-PROFILE PROFESSIONALS IN ARTS, BUSINESS AND JOURNALISM: ANDY DAWSON, KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY, KADIATU KANNEH-MASON, SHAPARAK KHORSANDI, ANNA LAPWOOD, DEBORAH MEADEN, JACK THORNE AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS TRUSTEE, SAMUEL WEST.
• AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED BY SAMUEL WEST AND SELECTED GUEST JUDGES AT THE HEARTS FOR THE ARTS DIGITAL AWARDS CEREMONY HOSTED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ON MONDAY 7TH MARCH 2022.
• ANNUAL AWARDS RECOGNISING UK’S UNSUNG LOCAL AUTHORITY ARTS HEROES, PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY LEISURE UK, CREATIVE LIVES, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, THRIVE, UK THEATRE, AND WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION.

The winners have been announced for the annual National Campaign for the Arts' (NCA) Hearts for the Arts Awards 2022. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts against all odds.

Nominations were received from across the UK for each of the three award categories. Best Arts Project; Best Arts Champion - Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker; and Best Arts Champion – Councillor.

After representatives from this year’s Hearts for the Arts partners created the shortlist of nominations, winners were selected by high-profile professionals in the arts, business, and journalism. Councillor Ffion Meleri Gwyn has been selected as the winner of ‘Best Arts Champion – Councillor’ for her inspired leadership, advocating for creativity, and spear-heading a range of creative and innovative projects, contributing massively to the well-being of the Criccieth community during a very challenging time for all.

In response to winning, Cllr.Ffion Meleri Gwyn said:

“I’m delighted and honoured to have won this award which is a tribute to the amazing work and involvement of members of our community, from young to old in so many memorable projects. We are living in unprecedented times and it’s fantastic to be able to reach out through our varied creative initiatives to involve hundreds in our bilingual community. These projects have boosted the well-being of all of us. “

Dr Catrin Jones, Clerk of Criccieth Town Council said:

“Congratulations to Cllr. Ffion Meleri Gwyn on winning this prestigious award in a very competitive field. In the time of Covid, Ffion, as an artist and as a Councillor, has made the case for creativity in partnership by setting an example of how, despite all the necessary restrictions, it was and remains possible and beneficial to innovate and create and make art a community adventure. She’s provided inspired leadership on a range of creative and innovative projects, working tirelessly to engage with the community, encouraging people from all walks of life to take part. To successfully launch and accomplish a Creative Strategy every Council needs a Ffion.”

In congratulating Cllr Ffion Melerl Gwyn, Rebecca Evans AS Minister for Finance and Local Government said:

"The fact that Criccieth benefited from such encouragement and support reflects her leadership, creativity, and energy during the pandemic. This success also attests to the support provided by Criccieth Town Council in facilitating and encouraging people to take part in the activities.”

For the full list of winners visit forthearts.org.uk/campaigns/hearts-for-the-arts/

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