About Klat Awards

KLAT Awards 2025 – Categories & Criteria
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 Year

Description:
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:
A special honour for someone who uplifts, protects, or preserves culture—often behind
the scenes or over many years.
Criteria:
• Longstanding contribution to community or culture
• Mentorship, advocacy, or organising work
• Embodiment of KLAT’s values
• Often unsung but deeply impactful

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 audiences or cultural spaces
• 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
• Cultural relevance or legacy
Independent Business of the Year
Description:
Recognising a business that embodies creativity, resilience, and community values.
Criteria:
• Innovation in product or service
• Cultural relevance and community impact
• Ethical or sustainable practices
• Growth or resilience over the past year
Innovator of the Year / Social

Impact ChampionDescription:
Awarded to 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:
KLAT’s highest honour, recognising a trailblazer whose work has shaped creative culture
and inspired generations.
Criteria:
• Lifetime or long-term achievement
• Influence across disciplines or communities
• Deep alignment with KLAT’s mission
• Inspirational legacy

Musical Artist to WatchDescription:
Recognising a musician or collective whose sound, message, and presence have defined
the year.
Criteria:
• Original releases or performances
• Artistic growth and experimentation
• Cultural relevance or influence
• Engagement with community or fans

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:
Celebrating a writer whose words have moved, challenged, or inspired—whether through
journalism, poetry, essays, or fic

tion.
Criteria:
• Quality and originality of writing
• Contribution to cultural or social discourse
• Published work or performances
• Alignment with KLAT’s editorial spirit

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 from the last 12–18 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 Process
All 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.