Creative Bath Awards Finalists
News
Bath Spa University nominated for a record nine Creative Bath Awards
Tuesday, 7 April, 2026Bath Spa University has scooped nine nominations for the 2026 Creative Bath Awards, in the Creative Arts, Creative Event, Creativity for Good, Creative Student, Marketing Campaign and New Creative Business categories – once again breaking its previous record for nominations.
BSU-backed The Studio was also nominated in the Digital Technology category and Emerge scooped two nominations in the Creative Arts and Creativity for Good categories.
BSU received a nomination in the Creative Arts category for its innovative and community-based approach to education exemplified by the University’s Unlocking Locksbrook initiative, making visible the value of arts and creativity.
BSU students and recent alumni stormed the Creative Student category, taking all but one of the finalist spots. Eli May Basile, Merlin Goldman, Manganaro and Elizabeth Royle were all nominated for their inspiring creative work.
The Creativity for Good category highlights organisations which have contributed to making Bath a better place. BSU’s Inclusive Communities team with Little Lost Robot CIC have been nominated in this category, particularly for the partnership’s DECOHERENCE project, a major international collaboration with the CERN Festival Programme, enabling 12 local young people to co-create a large-scale immersive artwork exploring quantum physics.
The Creative Event category recognises organisations that have put on a strong creative event or festival over the past year, and BSU’s Bath Spa Live team secured a nomination for their work on Locksbrook Lates – an innovative and successful series of free after-hours events celebrating creativity, community and connection.
BSU and Bath City Football Club scored a goal with a nomination in the Marketing Campaign category for the stylish Third Shirt project, which saw the Romans take to the pitch wearing a BSU student-designed shirt, which was launched with a photography and social media campaign featuring fans, players and BSU students.
BSU and Future Fashion Works’ SOMER store scooped a nomination in the New Creative Business category. Launched in June 2025, SOMER is a sustainable fashion store and community space platforming a range of fashion, art, and ceramics from 150 local brands. In its first six months, SOMER has more than doubled its projected sales figures and worked with 150 makers, 40% of whom are BSU students and graduates.
Lucy Stone, Head of Communications and Brand said:
“We are thrilled to have been recognised in so many categories, including Creative Arts, Creativity for Good, Marketing, Events and New Business, in the 2026 Creative Bath Awards – once again breaking a record for awards nominations this year. We’re also incredibly proud of our students and alumni, who took all but one of the finalist places in the Creative Student category. These successes are a testament to Bath Spa University’s commitment to embedding inclusive growth through creative innovation, education and skills development to strengthen our community – whether that’s by supporting sustainable business, putting on creative events, working with and providing opportunities for young people or collaborating with our partners.
“BSU is proud to play such a crucial role in providing opportunities and supporting professional creativity in our community and the surrounding area. Congratulations to all the other finalists, and we’re looking forward to celebrating together on the Awards evening in May.”
Other finalists include the BSU-supported Forest of Imagination, and cultural partners Music Workshop and Theatre Royal Bath.
The full list of finalists is available on the Creative Bath Awards website. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Komedia in Bath on Thursday 14 May.