Sky has announced the nominees for its Arts Hero Award, a first-of-its-kind category for the new Sky Arts Awards. The ceremony, taking place on 17th September at The Roundhouse, will celebrate the diverse and vibrant landscape of British and Irish arts and culture, rewarding excellence across all arts disciplines. The event, which will air on Sky Arts and Freeview, will be a showcase of the immense talent and dedication that fuel the arts industry – including the behind-the-scenes heroes whose efforts are integral to the success of the arts and culture scene.

Sky Arts invited the arts community to nominate their unsung heroes earlier this summer. and we’re thrilled that one of our singers and vocal tutors, Sally Spencer, has been included in the final shortlist of 5 nominees.

The citation reads:

“Sally Spencer, who is a singer with Ex Cathedra, and a children’s leukaemia nurse at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for nearly 25 years. She was the driving force behind Ex Cathedra’s Singing Medicine project, which she continues to co-lead 20 years later. The project brings singing for wellbeing to children in hospital, including those who are extremely vulnerable in protective isolation. During the pandemic, Sally and the Singing Medicine team created thousands of personalised music videos for children when in-person visits were not possible. Sally brings together her extensive nursing experience with her passion for music to her leadership and compassionate support of the Singing Medicine team enabling them to work in what can be distressing situations, such as delivering singing sessions at end-of-life care. Sally was integral in adapting Singing Medicine to support adults affected by stroke and dementia, making a significant impact in these areas as well.”

Huge congratulations to all the nominees.

Read more about the awards and find the full list of nominees here.

You can also learn more about Singing Medicine here, support the project here. And you can “Meet … Sally Spencer” here (from 2015).