Sky Arts launches search for Yorkshire’s unsung creative heroes as study reveals regional 'mentor gap'
Sky Arts has launched a search for Yorkshire’s unsung creative champions after new research revealed over half of adults in the region who received encouragement originally felt the arts were "not for people like them”
More than half of Yorkshire adults who were encouraged to pursue a creative ambition originally believed the arts were "not for someone like them", new research has revealed.
The study, commissioned by the Sky Arts Awards 2026, highlights the profound impact of teachers, youth workers, and community leaders in breaking down class and regional barriers across the creative industries.
While 36 per cent of adults in Yorkshire say a mentor significantly influenced their lives by encouraging their talents, the region trails far behind London, where 61 per cent reported receiving life-changing guidance.
Nationally, three-quarters of upper-middle-class adults reported having a creative mentor, compared to just 36 per cent of working-class adults.
Now, Sky Arts is calling on the Yorkshire public to nominate their unsung local champions for the Arts Hero Award, celebrating the behind-the-scenes figures who help the next generation of creative talent thrive.
The research also found that a quarter of Yorkshire adults who received life-changing encouragement have never thanked the person responsible—with 73 per cent saying they felt "gutted" not to have acknowledged their impact.
The winner will be honoured at the Sky Arts Awards ceremony at London's Roundhouse on October 13.
Speaking on the launch of the award, Phil Edgar-Jones OBE, Executive Director of Unscripted Content at Sky, said: "Talent isn't confined to any one background, but opportunity clearly isn’t evenly distributed. For anyone looking to break into the arts, having just one person say 'you can do this' can be incredibly powerful.
"The Sky Arts Hero Award is about celebrating those often-unseen people whose belief can genuinely change the direction of someone’s life. We want the public to tell us who those people are so we can celebrate their contribution."
Comedian and Sky Arts Awards juror Shappi Khorsandi added that the award aims to shine a spotlight on those working quietly in the background: "Behind so many creative careers is someone who spotted potential, nurtured confidence, and encouraged a person to keep going when things felt difficult.
“They may never seek recognition, but their impact can last a lifetime."
How do I nominate someone for the Arts Hero Award?
Members of the public can submit nominations for the Arts Hero Award as part of the Sky Arts Awards 2026.
The category honours teachers, mentors, youth workers, community leaders, and local champions living or working in the UK who help nurture the next generation of creative talent.
All submissions must be entered online before the deadline at midnight on , 24 September 2026.