Theatre Porto News
26 Arts Activities and Initiatives Shortlisted at the National Fantastic for Families Awards
Discover the organisations that have made outstanding contributions to family and age-friendly arts and culture in 2024-25. This year’s shortlist for the Fantastic for Families Awards, organised by Family Arts Campaign, showcases the real innovation, creativity and impact made by cultural opportunities in the UK.
The Family Arts Campaign has announced the shortlist for the Fantastic for Families Awards 2025, shining a spotlight on the organisations transforming lives through creativity across the UK. This year’s finalists demonstrate how cultural opportunities can improve wellbeing, foster belonging, and provide vital support for families and older people during challenging times.
To bring these achievements to life, the Family Arts Campaign presents 26 Stories of Family Arts; a collection that celebrates the creativity, connection, and community at the heart of this year’s nominees.
From joyful family activities to pioneering age-friendly outreach and innovative audience engagement, the shortlist spans three award categories: Best Family Arts Activity, Best Age-Friendly Outreach, and Audience Impact & Innovation.
Our nominees excel at creating imaginative experiences and many go the extra mile by supporting families in need.Respite, togetherness and shared imagination can go a long way in these challenging times, as the shortlisted organisations demonstrate. These organisations and initiatives are needed now more than ever and we invite you to share their stories in order to amplify their work.
The 2025 shortlist recognises and celebrates the achievements of family arts professionals, through sharing their diverse stories from across the arts spectrum. Their work supports communities and participants including young people struggling with mental health, families seeking sanctuary and elders facing social isolation and health diagnoses.
Want a sneak peek? Our 26 Stories of Family Arts include…
- A six-metre-high inflatable storytelling space designed to offer a unique and immersive creative experience.
(The Story Shell, Barnsley)
- A creative exchange between foster and adoptive families in London and Yorkshire.
(Message in a Bottle, London/Yorkshire)
- A pioneering choreographic and teaching training programme specifically designed for emerging artists aged 60+ with Parkinson’s and neurological conditions.
(Signature Moves, Leeds)
- A sound exploration and attentive listening workshop, introducing key sonic concepts through bespoke tools.
(SoundHoppers, Greater Manchester)
- An evolving programme of performances, supported visits, workshops, and food-based gatherings, designed to engage families seeking sanctuary.
(Sanctuary Programme, Ellesmere Port)
- A pioneering collection of dementia-friendly short films for the Virgin Atlantic’s inflight entertainment system.
(WOFFF x Virgin Atlantic Dementia Friendly Cinema, Worldwide)
Anna Dever, Executive Director, Family Arts Campaign, said:
“The Fantastic for Families awards celebrate the incredible work taking place across the UK to create safe, welcoming and joyful experiences for families. The 2025 shortlist showcases inspiring examples of organisations, artists and venues working tirelessly to deliver outstanding artistic work and provide life-changing experiences for those most in need.”
The full shortlist of organisations is:
Best Family Arts Activity
This award celebrates high-quality family arts activities suitable for audiences and participants of all ages.
- Junction Goole – Takeover Festival
- Cap-a-Pie – Marvellous Microbes
- Barnsley Libraries – The Story Shell
- Unfolding Theatre – Here Be Dragons
- Modus Arts – SoundHoppers
- Bamboozle Theatre – The Backyard – Wildings Sessions
- Taking Flight Theatre Company – Mae Gen Ti Ddreigiau/You’ve Got Dragons
- The Hepworth Wakefield – Surreal Landscapes Family Programme
- Pontefract Castle – Heritage for Youth
- DMS Productions – The Mystery of … Show
- Intergenerational Music Making – Family & Early Years Hubs Programme
- Arts Trust Productions – Summer in the Park
Best Age Friendly Outreach
This category recognises outreach approaches, provided specifically for older people, such as age-friendly activities, events, creative resources, or broader forms of support and outreach.
- The Octagon Theatre & Westlands Entertainment Venue – Parkinson Dance
- Ascendance – Signature Moves
- Arts Outburst – Thurrock Voices
- City of Doncaster Council – Culture Services – Culture Nature: Danum Community Garden
- Akademi – Dance Well
- Women Over Fifty Film Festival (WOFFF) – WOFFF x Virgin Atlantic Dementia Friendly Cinema
- Goofus Theatre – Reach Intergenerational Magic
Audience Impact and Innovation Award
This award recognises the achievements of creative organisations or cultural event organisers who have demonstrated innovation and adaptability to reach and make a difference to families in need.
- Starcatchers Productions – Cashback for Young Parents
- Norwich Theatre – Cultural Music Celebrations
- The Herd – Counting Sheeps
- National Maritime Museum x Seaglass Collective – Message in a Bottle
- Theatre Porto – Sanctuary Programme
- Oily Cart – When the World Turns – Flexible Programme
- Theatre Hullabaloo – Place to Play
Fantastic For Families Awards are given by Family Arts Campaign, the national Investment Principles Support Organisation for arts engagement and families, funded by Arts Council England.
The winners of the Fantastic For Families 2025 Awards will be announced in an online ceremony on 20 November 2025. Book your free tickets here.
Visit the Fantastic For Families 2025 Awards page to find out more.
