They're back after a two-year break and the Medway Culture and Design Awards promises to be better than ever.

Organised by Medway Council and supported by the Medway Messenger, the awards recognise excellence in a wide variety of artistic and cultural areas across the Towns – from architecture to music and dance.

centre, to former Medway art student and hugely talented designer Myrto Stamou.
Previous winners have included the lightship LV21, converted into a cultural

Musician James Taylor took two of the 2010 awards on the eve of the 25th anniversary of his band, the James Taylor Quartet, including the lifetime contribution prize.

to talented photographer Sam Baylis, who was just 14 at the time.
Young people were also recognised with a youth achievement award going

Anyone living in the Medway area (past or present), or who has made a significant cultural contribution in the area, is eligible to be nominated for an award.

You can nominate yourself or nominate others, but the project should have taken place, or been completed, between July 2010 and September 2012.

New to the awards this year is a food and drink category which will celebrate the best of locally-produced fare.

Winners will be announced at the high profile ceremony to be held on Thursday, December 6.

variety of categories the opportunity to receive their award in the presence of Medway VIP’s, sponsors and a selection of their peers.
This will give the short- listed nominees from a

Visit www.medway.gov.uk/leisureandculture/arts/cultureanddesignawards.aspx for more information or contact Lindsey.Horton@medway.gov.uk

Closing date for nominations is Friday, October 12.