Who will you nominate for this year's RBV cultural award?

Who will you nominate for this year's RBV cultural award?

Wed, 26 Oct 2022

It’s time to think about who should be awarded the Isle of Man’s top cultural award, the ‘Reih Bleeaney Vanannan’, known as the RBV for short.

Last year, Nigel Crowe was chosen for his outstanding contribution to Manx Studies in relation to genealogy, land records and historical landscape. But the award covers the broad sweep of Manx culture, represented by previous winners who include John Kaneen (music, collecting, and broadcasting), Phil Kelly (Manx language), the Michael Players (dialect theatre), William Cain (wildlife and environment), Clare Kilgallon (music, song and dance), the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh (language and culture), Allan Skillan (field-walking and prehistory), and Maureen Costain Richards (Manx artistic heritage, particularly Manx crosses).

The nomination process couldn’t be easier – there’s a simple form to fill in, but the main thing to do is to write about why an individual or a group should receive the honour.

The award recognises Manannan as patron of Manx culture, and comprises a trophy designed by Eric Austwick, a medal designed by Jenny Kissack, together with donations to the recipient and to a Manx cultural cause of their choosing. Nominations from the public are reviewed by a small group of judges from various Manx cultural organisations, with the winner usually announced in January as a Manx ‘New Year’s Honour’.

Nomination forms, rules and guidance notes are available here – your nomination should assume that the reader knows nothing about the individual or group and should show how they have made an impact on the Island’s culture. If they have been active in one or more areas, or have achieved something remarkable in the past year or over their lifetime, make sure you detail this – all aspects are considered by the judges.

Nominations close at 12 noon on Thursday 1 December 2022.

Who will be Manannan’s Choice of the Year? Make your nomination and play your part in celebrating Manx culture.