On 11 October 2018, we presented Stuart and Kadie Kanneh-Mason with the 2018 JM Barrie Award, recognising a lifetime’s achievement in children’s arts. The award was presented in recognition of all parents who selflessly dedicate themselves to their children’s artistic education.

It is ACA’s immense delight to honour Kadie and Stuart with our JM Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award. They are great ambassadors for the inspirational role music education can play in nurturing childhood.

The 2018 Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Sticky Fingers Arts, who have provided twenty years of ground-breaking early-years arts provision in Northern Ireland. The organisation provides a powerful voice for the rights of children to engage in the arts. They are committed to increasing opportunities for as many children as possible to access and participate in the highest-quality, professionally-run, age-appropriate, arts programmes.

The Member’s Awards were presented to GOSH Arts and children’s choral conductor and workshop leader Helen Smee. The GOSH Arts programme is run by Caroline Moore and Susie Hall. They work to bring the arts into Great Ormond Street hospital; ranging from work that thrills and lifts spirits, to participatory programmes that entertain and inspire the young patients.

Helen Smee is the founder of Voices of London Festival, and is also extremely active in maintaining opportunities and enthusiasm for music in state primary schools. She is currently working with schools in three parts of London, bringing children together to sing an original choral piece in a series of concerts.

BAFTA Young Presenter Tianna Moore skilfully presented the awards ceremony, and the JM Barrie Award was handed to Stuart and Kadie by 7 year-old Angelina Sinclair, after Julian Lloyd-Webber had read his citation.