Marsh Awards 2023 

The Marsh Awards for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement celebrate the hard work and dedication of colleagues working within visual arts participation and engagement.  

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of those working in learning, participation and engagement within visual arts contexts in the UK and internationally. It celebrates the work of individuals and groups working in freelance, salaried and voluntary roles, who have brought the benefits of engaging in the arts to communities in 2022-23.  

This year, Engage and the Marsh Charitable Trust particularly welcome nominations from grassroots organisations celebrating diversity and inclusion. 

To apply, please complete the form by Wednesday, 20 September 2023, 10:00am, and contact info@engage.org if you have any additional queries. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What do awardees gain from Marsh Awards? 

There are 3 awards – each winner or winning team will receive £500 to spend on their professional development: 

• Marsh Awards for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement [5 WINNERS] 

• Marsh Awards for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement (International Award) [1 WINNER] 
• Marsh Awards for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement (Lifetime Achievement Award) [1 WINNER] 

Who can be nominated for the awards? 

• Colleagues at all stages of their careers, working freelance, in salaried positions or as volunteers. 
• Colleagues working with organisations of all sizes. 

• Individuals or teams 
• Nominators should be a colleague or a representative of an organisation who has worked with the nominee. 
• It is not a requirement for the nominee to be a member of Engage. 

Who can be nominated for the lifetime achievement award? 

• Colleagues who have worked for a considerable time in learning or education, in or for galleries or visual arts organisations in the UK. 

• Colleagues who are still working and those who have stopped working. 
• Those who have worked or are working with organisations of all sizes. 
• Those who have been working freelance, in salaried positions or as volunteers. 
• Nominators should be a current or ex-colleague or a representative of an organisation who has worked with the nominee. 
• It is not a requirement for the nominee to be a member of Engage. 

Can I nominate somebody again? 
 
Yes! If you made a nomination in previous years, please feel free to do so again as we would be pleased to consider your nomination in 2023. 

How do I make a nomination? 

• Please speak to the person(s) you are nominating and consult with them about completing the form. 
• Once you are ready, complete the form and submit it by the deadline. Nominations should take less than an hour to complete. 

What is the judging criteria? 

• Nominations should demonstrate how nominees have exceeded the expectations of their role(s), or previous role(s), by showing dedication or innovation in their work. 
• A panel of experts in visual arts engagement along with representatives from the Marsh Charitable Trust and Engage will select the winners. 

What’s involved in receiving an award? 

• Winners will be informed in mid-November. 
• The awards will be announced and celebrated at the Engage Annual General Meeting, which will take place online on Wednesday 15 November 2023. Winners will be invited to attend. 

• Winners will be invited to submit a short film or visual presentation about their work. Visit https://engage.org/happenings/marsh-awards/marsh-awards-2022/ to see examples from the 2022-23 award winners. 
• The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be offered assistance from Engage with their film or visual presentation. Winners of the general and international awards will be asked to make this independently. 
• A contribution of £100 be offered to each awardee towards supporting them to make the short film and attending the online announcement.  
• Documentation of the award will include a description of the winners’ visual arts engagement work and achievements, alongside their short film. 
• Each winner will be asked to complete a short feedback form in Summer 2024 to reflect on the impact of the award.