The Get the Chance, Cultural Impact Awards took place at Porters, Cardiff on Sat 28 March. In the article below you can read about the winners in each category and what the event means to them. Thanks to our event and category sponsors Tempo Time Credits, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Torch Theatre, Tanio, Theatr Clwyd, Theatr Iolo, Theatr na nÓg, National Dance Company Wales, Common/Wealth, Creu Cymru and Porters, Cardiff.
Category
Public Event
(Sponsored by Creu Cymru)
Winner
Romjul: A Norwegian Christmas in Wales, Theatr na nÓg & Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Why are the Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards important?
The awards highlight how arts and culture goes beyond entertainment and has the power to have a real-life impact. This chance to celebrate the breadth of brilliant work happening in Wales only reminds us of the importance of the arts and how cultural activities can make a real difference to people’s lives. The awards recognise not only the impact of the work but the people behind it that make these projects possible.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
We are honoured to have won two awards on Saturday; one for a new collaboration with the Norwegian Church and another for a project that has existed and developed for decades and is at the core of our work as an organisation. We are incredibly proud of our work and it is a privilege to have been recognised amongst many brilliant organisations and individuals. It is fantastic to hear of the amazing work taking place across the country.
Creative of the Year
(Sponsored by Porters Cardiff
Winner
Rhiannon White, Common/Wealth
Why are the Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards important?
It’s so good to be on home turf, surrounded by the people who are working hard to offer more in Wales. The Awards support and recognise the Welsh arts scene from the ground up, bringing people together to celebrate what’s happening here.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
I’m absolutely buzzing to receive the Creative of the Year Award as part of the Get the Chance Awards. After the grafting of this last year – making Demand the Impossible and writing the book, and all the other projects. I still pinch myself that this is my job. Can’t believe it – magic to win! Thank you
Community and Education Project
(Sponsored by National Dance Company Wales)
Winner
Theatr na n Óg – Beacon/Goleufa Education Project
Facilitator of the Year
(Sponsored by Theatr na nÓg)
Winner
Hefin Robinson, Writer
Why are the Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards important?
The Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards are special because they not only celebrate the wealth of inspiring work that happens across Wales each year, but do so while shining a light on aspects of arts and culture that are often overlooked or forgotten elsewhere. To come together and share in those success stories reminds us that creativity really does have the power to effect change and make a difference to people’s lives.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
I feel honoured and proper chuffed to have won the Facilitator of the Year award, and I’m extremely grateful to the Cultural Impact Awards for highlighting the role facilitators play in supporting and empowering creative expression all over Wales. It’s been a joy and a privilege to work alongside Mess Up The Mess this year on so many inspiring projects with so many brilliant children and young people. This award feels like the cherry on top of the most wonderful cake!
Sarah, Jones Artistic Director of Mess Up The Mess
Why are the Get the Chance,Cultural Impact Awards important?
The Get The Chance Awards are important as they give us a platform to shout loudly about the huge impact arts and culture has on people’s lives! It gives us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate all those involved in changing lives through the arts including teachers, freelancers, board members, artists and administrators. Times are really hard in the third sector and the arts right now so such a positive and uplifting event is inspirational and a much needed reminder about why we do what we do and that we are part of a community of others who also striving to make the world a better place!
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
We are over the moon that the fantastic freelance playwright and facilitator Hefin Robinson won Facilitator of The Year for all his work awesome work alongside our young people! We couldn’t do what we do without freelance artists like Hefin who really empower our young people to create beautiful work and begin to see that they belong in the arts. Over the last year Hefin has encouraged children and young people many of whom didn’t think writing was for them to pick up a pen or a keyboard and become writers dreaming up new characters and worlds and that is an incredibly powerful thing! We are thrilled that his work has been recognised so publicly because the impact he has had on the staff and team at Mess Up The Mess is huge!
Culture and Health
(Sponsored by Christine O’Donnell)
Winner
Good Vibrations Chorus, RWCMD/Parkinsons UK, Roger Hampton
Why are the Get the Chance,Cultural Impact Awards important?
The awards present an opportunity to highlight the work going on within the community that helps make a difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s and other health conditions.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
I am absolutely delighted to have won this award. It recognises the support given to the choir by the RWCMD and Parkinson’s UK, but also the encouragement and community it provides for those of us living with Parkinson’s and our care givers. Finally can I say what a privilege it was to be with people who make such a difference in the community with so many different initiatives.
Cultural Champion
(Sponsored by Tempo Time Credits)
Osamagbe (Osama) Izevbigie, OTID Entertainment Ltd / Afrowales, Black Welsh Music Awards and Cymru Unleashed
Why are the Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards important?
The Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards are incredibly important because they shine a light on the individuals and organisations who are actively shaping culture, creating opportunities, and driving real change within communities. They recognise work that often goes unseen but has a deep and lasting impact, especially in amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering inclusivity across the creative industries.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
Winning on Saturday was a genuinely humbling and rewarding moment. It’s a reflection of the hard work, passion, and commitment that goes into everything we do, and it means a lot to have that recognised. More importantly, it reinforces the importance of continuing to build platforms that celebrate culture, community, and creativity.
Commitment to Education in Arts, Heritage & Culture
(Sponsored by Theatr Iolo)
Winner
Gnoll Country Park’s Chris Pugh and Gary Turler from Wild boar Carvings, Gnoll Country Park, The Tree of Many Faces Sculptures and Storytelling Throne at Gnoll Country Park
Disabled Creativity
(Sponsored by Common/Wealth)
Winner
Taking Flight Theatre Company
Why are Get The Chance Cultural Impact Awards important?
The Cultural Impact Awards are incredibly important to the cultural sector. It gives the chance for organisations and individuals within the sector the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, and is the opportunity to be recognised for the incredible work that goes on within Wales to enrich the lives of audiences and the public in Wales. And is an incredible forum for organisations and individuals within the cultural sector to come together and celebrate each other.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
Winning the Disabled Creativity Award on Saturday was an incredible achievement. Being recognised for the nearly 20 years of work we’ve done to create and champion inclusive and accessible theatre and advocating the wider sector on the importance of access makes us want to keep working on our mission. We’re incredibly proud of all the team current and previous, and every freelancer that have joined us on the journey. We look forward to keep delivering for audiences in Wales and to keep doing the work that impacts so many.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dan Porter and the Porters Team
Why are the Get the Chance, Cultural Impact Awards important?
Ultimately, the awards reflect a shared belief: that culture has the power to change lives, and that the people who are working hard, in difficult circumstances, to drive that change, and the work they enable, deserve to be celebrated.
How do you feel about winning on Saturday?
Honestly, it’s a bit surreal. Porter’s has always been about creating a space for other people’s work—for artists, communities, and audiences to come together—so to be recognised like this ourselves is incredibly humbling.
Saturday’s surprise was about everyone who’s been part of Porter’s over the years. The staff, the performers, the audiences—people who’ve taken a chance on the space and helped shape what it’s become. This award belongs to all of them.
I also think it says a lot about the kind of cultural community we have in Wales. The fact that grassroots venues and community-driven work are being recognised in this way is really powerful. That’s what the Get the Chance Cultural Impact Awards are all about, and it’s something we’re proud to host and be a small part of. Mostly, I feel grateful—and even more motivated to keep going, keep supporting artists, and keep building something that people feel they belong to, and belongs to them.
Despite how hard things are for everyone at the moment, I’m really optimistic about the future. I’ve always wanted Porter’s to be a place that people pass through on their way to bigger and better things, and I feel confident that before long we’ll be able to help more people to do and enjoy more things- to ‘Get The Chance’. We have some exciting news about our future coming soon.
