Aberystwyth Administrator Yvonne O’Donovan nominated for Sky Arts Hero Award

Sky has today announced the nominees for its Arts Hero Award, a first-of-its-kind category for the new Sky Arts Awards. The highly anticipated ceremony, taking place on 17th September at The Roundhouse, will celebrate the diverse and vibrant landscape of British and Irish arts and culture, rewarding excellence across all arts disciplines. The event, which will be broadcast live on Sky Arts and Freeview, will be a showcase of the immense talent and dedication that fuel the arts industry – including the behind-the-scenes heroes whose efforts are integral to the success of the arts and culture scene.

Sky Arts invited the arts community to nominate their unsung heroes earlier this summer. Following an overwhelming response, they can now reveal the five nominees for the Arts Hero Award. From a singer who supports children on life support to an art technician who mentors young curators, these extraordinary individuals were selected by the judging panel for their unwavering dedication and profound impact on the arts, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of countless productions, exhibitions and performances.

One of the nominees is Yvonne O’Donovan, an Administrator at Creu Cymru in Aberystwyth, who has been the backbone of the organisation for over 22 years, supporting the performing arts across the country. As the longest-serving employee, she has seen the organisation grow from 33 to over 70 members. Yvonne’s tireless work behind the scenes has enabled tours, training and networking that have strengthened the arts sector in Wales. Her legacy will be a resilient arts community that benefits from the foundation she has helped build.

Yvonne shared her reaction to being nominated: “I’m not one for the spotlight, so this recognition is incredibly humbling. My role is varied – balancing budgets, booking tours, attending performances and managing our website. Every day brings something new, and I love the variety, but it’s the moments of genuine connection with our community that are the most rewarding. The arts are a lifeline, not just for the economy, but for our wellbeing.“

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, commented on the importance of the Arts Hero Award: “We were incredibly moved by the nominations we received. Each story was a powerful reminder of the dedication, passion and often unseen work that goes into making our arts sector thrive. Selecting just five nominees was an immensely difficult task.

Everyone put forward has made such a meaningful contribution. The Sky Arts Awards is our opportunity to celebrate these remarkable unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, making our cultural experiences possible.”

The announcement follows recent findings that 84% of the UK population are unaware that the arts sector employs around 3.5 million people across hundreds of roles. The Arts Hero Award not only celebrates these essential workers but also highlights the vital roles they play within the arts ecosystem.

Building on the legacy of the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, the Sky Arts Awards is the only event in the world that recognises the full spectrum of artistic genres, including classical music, comedy, dance, film, literature, poetry, opera, popular music, television, theatre and visual art.