ABOUT KLAT AWARDS

The KLAT Awards celebrate creative talent, innovation, and cultural impact across music, media, business, and the arts. The awards spotlight individuals and collectives making an impact for or with young people.

Eligibility:Nominees must be aged 16–35 and either based in Wales, have made work significantly impacting young people in Wales, or have achieved notable international recognition over the past year while maintaining strong ties to the Welsh creative community.

Actor to WatchDescription:
Spotlighting an emerging performer whose talent, presence, and performances have left a mark on stage or screen.

Criteria:
• Standout performances in film, TV, or theatre over the past year
• Creative risk-taking or emotional depth
• Contribution to representation or storytelling
• Growing influence or recognition in the industry

Creative Collective of the YearDescription:
Celebrating a group or collective whose collaborative work has made a cultural impact through shared vision and execution.

Criteria:
• Collaborative creativity and impact
• Visibility and recognition in the past year
• Cultural relevance or community engagement
• Innovative or interdisciplinary work

Cultural Hero AwardDescription:
Recognises an individual who champions culture, heritage, and representation through their work and advocacy.

Criteria:
• Cultural leadership and visibility
• Community engagement and impact
• Advocacy for underrepresented voices
• Legacy-building contributions

Digital Artist of the Year (Photographers, Videographers, Digital Creators)Description:
Celebrating a digital storyteller capturing culture, identity, or emotion through photography, video, or digital media.

Criteria:
• Originality and innovation in digital content
• Technical skill and storytelling impact
• Consistent and meaningful output
• A standout project or body of work from the past year

DJ of the YearDescription:
Celebrating a DJ who has made a significant impact through their sets, sound, and presence—whether in clubs, on air, or at community events.

Criteria:
• Demonstrated creativity and originality in mixing and selection
• Engagement with local or underground music scenes
• Influence on genre or scene
• Consistency and visibility over the past year

Event of the YearDescription:
Recognising a standout event that brought people together, sparked conversation, or created space for creativity and culture.

Criteria:
• Impactful programming or theme
• Community engagement or audience reach
• Innovation in format or delivery
• • Social or cultural impact

Independent Business of the YearDescription:
Celebrates a standout independent business demonstrating creativity, resilience, and community impact.

Criteria:
•Business growth and innovation
• Customer experience and service
• Cultural relevance and community impact 
• Sustainability and values-led leadership

Social Impact ChampionDescription:
An individual or collective using creativity to drive change socially, environmentally, or culturally.

Criteria:
• Clear impact or innovation in their field
• Addressing social or systemic issues
• Collaboration or community involvement
• Visionary thinking and execution

KLAT Legacy AwardDescription:
Honours a trailblazer whose long-term contributions have shaped creative culture and inspired future generations.

Criteria:
• Career impact and influence
• Lifetime or long-term achievement
• Influence across disciplines or communities
• Deep alignment with KLAT’s mission
• Inspirational legacy

Musical Artist to WatchDescription:
Spotlights an emerging musician showing exceptional talent, originality, and potential for breakout success.

Criteria:
• Artistic voice and originality
• Recent releases or performances
• Growth trajectory and buzz
• Audience connection

Presenter of the Year
Description:
Honouring a standout voice in radio, podcasting, or live hosting who brings energy, insight, and connection to their audience.

Criteria:
• Strong communication and storytelling skills
• Original content or format
• Community engagement or platforming underrepresented voices
• Presence across platforms or events

Visual Artist of the Year (Painting, Illustration, Installation, Mixed Media)Description:
Recognising an artist whose work speaks powerfully through form, texture, and imagination—bringing visual art into dialogue with the world.

Criteria:
• Artistic originality and vision
• Conceptual depth or cultural resonance
• Execution and craft
• Exhibitions, recognition, or impact in the past year

Writer of the YearDescription:
Honours a writer whose work (fiction, non-fiction, or poetry) has demonstrated literary excellence and impact.

Criteria:
• Craft and originality
• Narrative voice and structure
• Cultural or emotional resonance
• Audience and critical reception

International Creative of the YearDescription:
Celebrates a global creative whose work transcends borders and influences international audiences.

Criteria:
• Cross-cultural impact
• Innovation and originality
• Global reach and recognition
• Contribution to creative discourse

Who Can Be Nominated?The KLAT Awards 2025 celebrates creativity, culture, and community — so we want to hear about the people and projects making an impact. Here’s what you need to know before nominating:

Connection to Wales: Nominees don’t have to be UK citizens or live in Wales, but they must have a meaningful link to Wales (e.g., heritage, work, collaboration, or contribution to Welsh culture).

International Creative of the Year: This is the only category that does not require a link to Wales — it’s open to creatives anywhere in the world.

Who you can nominate: Friends, family members, colleagues, collaborators, community leaders, or public figures you admire.

Age requirement: Nominees in all categories must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of nomination.

Individuals & groups: Groups, collectives, teams, or companies are eligible, but a lead contact name must be provided.

Self-nominations: Yes, you can nominate yourself if you meet the criteria.

Multiple nominations: You can submit nominations in more than one category, but each nomination must be submitted separately.

Recent work focus: We’re especially interested in achievements, projects, and impact between the last 24 months— but we also value consistent contribution to culture and community.

Diversity & inclusion: We welcome nominations from all creative disciplines and backgrounds. KLAT Awards actively celebrates underrepresented voices in the arts, media, and community spaces.

Judging ProcessAll KLAT Awards 2025 nominations will be carefully reviewed and evaluated by a panel of external industry leaders selected from across Wales. These judges bring a wealth of expertise from diverse creative fields including music, media, arts, community, and culture.

Their role is to assess each nomination against the published criteria with fairness, integrity, and an understanding of the unique impact young creatives make in their communities.

The judging panel’s decisions are final and designed to celebrate authentic talent, innovation, and cultural contribution.