Contact win for diversity at UK Theatre Awards

22 Oct 2013

A theatre based in the heart of The University of Manchester campus has been announced as the winner of the 2013 UK Theatre Awards for the Promotion of Diversity, at a ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall.

Contact is part funded by The University of Manchester, alongside Arts Council England, Manchester City Council and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

The UK Theatre Awards are the TMA's annual, national theatre awards and honour creative excellence and the outstanding achievement seen on and off stage throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Emma Obita, one of Contact's young Creative Experts, who collected the award on behalf of the organisation, said: "Contact recognises that diversity is essential in creating work that is representative of the communities we serve. Contact embraces diversity and celebrates differences.”

Matt Fenton, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Contact, added: “We're thrilled to have won the TMA’s Promotion of Diversity Award at the 2013 UK Theatre Awards. It's great to see the diversity of Contact's young participants, staff and board reflected in our programme and audiences, and that this is recognised nationally with this award. We realise there remains much to do to ensure that we fully represent the breadth of our communities and young people, but we will continue to work with our partners and funders to celebrate and champion diversity in all its forms.”