The Sky Arts Awards are an unmissable evening of celebration, rewarding excellence across the arts. Broadcast straight into your living room on Sky Arts and Freeview, the ceremony is a powerful showcase of British and Irish arts and culture.
Each year, we recognise outstanding contributions across 11 art forms: Classical Music, Comedy, Dance, Film, Literature, Opera, Poetry, Popular Music, Theatre, TV, and Visual Arts. Special honours also include The Times Breakthrough Award, The Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Arts Hero Award—each celebrating game-changers, visionaries, and tireless champions of the arts.
But this is far more than just an awards show. The ceremony features a dazzling line-up of exclusive musical and artistic performances, bringing together talent and creativity in one-of-a-kind collaborations you won’t see anywhere else.
At Sky Arts, we believe the arts are essential. They fuel our economy, unite communities, and bring meaning and joy to our lives. They help us understand the world—and ourselves. Whether we’re watching a play, reading a novel, dancing at a gig, or simply turning on the TV, the arts are with us, always.
The Sky Arts Awards are more than a celebration. It’s a rallying cry to protect and support the arts across the UK—and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who keeps creativity alive, often against the odds.
Mark your calendars: the 2025 Sky Arts Awards take centre stage on Tuesday 16 September, live from The Roundhouse, London. With a new wave of extraordinary nominees, this year’s ceremony promises unforgettable moments and creative inspiration in abundance.
This year’s Awards will be hosted by the inimitable Bill Bailey. A comedian, musician, writer, actor, director, presenter, and lifelong champion of the arts, Bill has long been one of Britain’s most treasured performers, having carved out a distinctive place in entertainment with his razor-sharp observations with wild flights of imagination.
A classically trained pianist and accomplished guitarist, Bill effortlessly weaves music into his comedy, from playful mashups of rock and pop to unexpected twists on classical favourites.
He’s a passionate advocate for creativity and education and has explored culture, history, and travel through acclaimed documentaries, always with curiosity and wit. To him, the arts are about forging connections, between people, traditions, and ideas, making him a truly fitting host for an evening dedicated to celebrating creative achievement.
2024
The 2024 Sky Arts Awards were hosted by comedian, activist, presenter, painter and the nation’s appointed Mummy, Joe Lycett, and took place on Tuesday 17 September at The Roundhouse.
These inaugural awards were a vibrant celebration of artistic achievement—from breakout talents like The Last Dinner Party to cultural milestones like Mr Bates Vs The Post Office. The evening also honoured broadcasting legend Melvyn Bragg with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and NHS nurse and choir singer Sally Spencer as our 2024 Arts Hero.