Northern Ireland’s leading photography gallery, exhibition and event space, Belfast Exposed, in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, has enjoyed an exciting twelve months of accolades and acknowledgement for the breadth and scope of its work and community outreach.
A recent double win at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations PRide Awards, brought Belfast Exposed’s tally to seven for gongs in the last year alone. The event, held in the Merchant Hotel, recognised PR and marketing campaigns that stood out and garnered results and respect across the industry.
Belfast Exposed won two silvers at these awards in October, one for Low Budget campaign, and the other for Arts, Culture or Sports Campaign. Both were in partnership with Maurica Mackle Communications for the gallery’s Healing Through Photography Conference in April, and Marisa also walked away with Independent PR Practitioner of the Year that same night.
The gallery’s run of success began 12 months ago at the Arts & Business Awards when Belfast Exposed won both the New Sponsor Awards and the title of Arts Organisation of the Year, one of the most prestigious arts awards in Northern Ireland.
Deirdre Robb, CEO at Belfast Exposed, said: “To bookend a year of accolades with such high-profile awards as the Arts Organisation of the Year and two silvers at the CIPR awards, is testament to the diversity of the work we do and the influence we continue to build year on year. The visual arts are often left lagging behind painting, sculpture and architecture in gaining recognition that is due, but at Belfast Exposed we strive to showcase the vast scope of how photography can capture everything from iconic moments in history to a celebration of life, design or any other artistic medium.”
In light of its ground-breaking approach to bringing the arts to a wider audience and for the opportunities provided by its training programmes, the gallery was also named the Local News Platform of the Year at the Northern Ireland Prestige Awards.
In addition, it was a finalist in the Staycation Awards by ‘Holiday at Home’ in the Evening Activity of the Year category, where all nominations and the 40,000 votes for the winners come from members of the public. In recognition of his 26 years of service, the organisation’s Community Engagement Manager, Mervyn Smyth, was a finalist in the Employee of the Year category at the Belfast Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Deidre added: “The fact we could add recognition from a wonderful variety of outlets and decision makers across different categories really cements our place within the sector but also as a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city.”