Bucks Culture is delighted to bring back the Bucks Spark Awards at our 2026 Conference. The Awards were created to showcase and celebrate arts, heritage and cultural achievements delivered by fantastic, hard-working organisations and voluntary groups within the county. We will be opening the submissions process for work that took place between November 2024 and September 2026 on 7th September. Please see below for details of the categories, criteria and timeline for judging.
The categories for the 2026 Bucks Spark Awards are:
- Best Cultural Event
- Best Cultural Exhibition
- Best Cultural Collaboration
- Best Cultural Access/Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Project Award
- Best Cultural Green Project Award
The timeline for the 2026 Awards is as follows:
- 7th September 2026: open nominations
- 5pm, 24th September 2026: nominations deadline
- w/c 28th September 2026: shortlisting
- w/c 12th October 2026: judging by our panel
- October/November 2026: invites to winners and runners up
- 5th November 2026: awards ceremony as part of Conference
The winners and runners-up will be announced at Bucks Culture’s Conference on 5th November, with awards presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Lady Howe.
We are so excited to share these cultural moments and achievements with partners, colleagues and friends in the sector. We aim to build a supportive creative community to celebrate these successes and the value that the cultural sector brings to our county and its residents.
The Categories
Best Exhibition Award
This award recognises excellence in exhibitions or displays related to an aspect of Buckinghamshire’s culture. It could include a new permanent exhibition, temporary exhibition, or display delivered to November 24-September 26. It could be an online exhibition, or a physical exhibition. The entry needs to demonstrate effective use of resources and success with the chosen audience. Click to download the Application Form for Best Exhibition Award.
Best Event Award
This award recognises excellence in a one-off event that has promoted Buckinghamshire’s culture. The event could have taken place digitally, within its own site, or at another location during November 24-September 26. The entry needs to demonstrate effective use of resources and success with the chosen audience. Click to download the Application Form for Best Event Award.
Best Collaboration Award
We are stronger when we work together. This award recognizes the best project, event or activity that has been delivered collaboratively (by at least two entities, this might be organisations, charities, community groups etc) to promote Buckinghamshire’s culture during November 24-September 26. The work should demonstrate how participants as well as the organizations involved have benefited from the collaborative work and what it delivered. Click to download the Application Form for Best Collaboration Award.
Best Access/Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Project Award
This award recognises excellence in a project, event, exhibition, programme or activity that has improved access to culture and promoted equality, diversity and inclusion across Buckinghamshire. The initiative should have been delivered between November 24-September 26 and demonstrate how barriers to participation have been reduced, underrepresented communities have been engaged, or how cultural opportunities have become more inclusive and accessible. Entries should demonstrate effective use of resources, measurable impact, and success in reaching and benefiting the intended audiences.
Best Green Project Award
This award recognises excellence in a project, event, exhibition, programme or activity that has demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability within Buckinghamshire’s cultural sector. The initiative should have been delivered between November 24-September 26 and could include actions to reduce environmental impact, promote climate awareness, improve sustainable practices, or encourage community engagement with environmental issues through culture. Entries should demonstrate effective use of resources, innovation, measurable outcomes, and success with the chosen audience.
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