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The awards took place as part of NRTF Conference 2026 on the evening of Wednesday 10 June. We celebrated the people, projects and organisations shaping rural touring across the UK. Visit each category page to see who was longlisted for the awards.
Award Winners 2026
Access Champion Award
The Other Library – Freewheelers Theatre and Farnham Maltings
Green Champion Award
Lîla Dance
Community Impact Award
Spot On – Libraries for Lancashire
Connection Award
Jeremy Brown – Culture on Scilly
Creative Communication Award
Sophie Clouston – Creative Arts East
Newcomer Award
Adannay
Volunteer Promoter Award
Julie Mckirdy – Thimblemill Library Smethwick
Lifetime Achievement Award
John Laidlaw – Live and Local
Yvonne Gallimore – Artsreach
Award Categories
The Rural Touring Awards recognise innovation, dedication and quality within the rural touring sector.
Connection Award
This award recognises a project, touring show, programming organisation or partnership that has created meaningful connections between artists, communities and / or the wider rural touring sector.
Newcomer Award
This award recognises an artist, touring company, promoter or programming organisation new to rural touring who has made a significant early impact.
Green Champion Award
This award recognises an artist, project, touring show, promoter or programming organisation that is making significant strides in environmental responsibility and sustainability within rural touring.
Volunteer Promoter Award
This award celebrates a rural touring voluntary promoter who has shown outstanding dedication, passion and impact within their community.
Creative Communication Award
This award recognises a project, touring company or programming organisation that has demonstrated outstanding creativity and effectiveness in marketing and / or communication for promoting an aspect of rural touring.
Access Champion Award
This award recognises a project, touring show, artist, promoter or programming organisation that has improved access to arts and culture through accessible practice or by removing barriers to participation.
Community Impact Award
This award recognises a project, touring show, artist, promoter or programming organisation that has created meaningful and positive impact within one or more rural communities.
