The county's best in the arts and entertainment was celebrated in the first-ever Cumbria Life Culture Awards last night.
Melvyn Bragg presented, as some special talents and key community groups were commended for their efforts in 2015.
The Cumbrian author and broadcaster said he was amazed by the quality and diversity of the finalists.
"The range cuts right across society like never before - it really is amazing and inspirational stuff.
"I think I'm only aware of about a fifth of what we've seen tonight so I 've got a lot of catching up to do," he said.
The awards ceremony at Theatre by the Lake also featured performances from poet Kim Moore, saxophonist Jess Gillam and a reading from author Sarah Hall.
Here is the full list of winners:
DESIGNER-MAKER OF THE YEAR
Michael Eden, ceramicist/digital artist from Milnthorpe
PHOTOGRAPHER OR FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR
Ian Lawson, fine art photographer on Herdwick: A Portrait of Lakeland
AMATEUR SOCIETY OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
StagedRight Youth Theatre, from Carlisle
PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Brundibar by Mahogany Opera Group, in partnership with Rosehill on the Road, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, and Carnegie Theatre, Workington
GALLERY OF THE YEAR
The Gallery at Rheged, Penrith
MUSEUM OF THE YEAR
Keswick Museum & Art Gallery
EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR ARTISTS ROOMS
Anselm Kiefer at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, in Carlisle, AND Barbara Hepworth: Within the Landscape at Abbot Hall Art Gallery (joint winners)
MUSIC GROUP OF THE YEAR
Hardwicke Circus, Carlisle rock band
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Wordsworth Singers chamber choir
SMALL ARTS VENUE OF THE YEAR
Upfront, near Penrith
LARGE ARTS VENUE OF THE YEAR
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
EVENT OF THE YEAR
British Sea Power’s Sea of Brass concert with Foden’s Brass Band at The Factory, Kendal
COMMUNITY ARTS ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
Prism Arts, Carlisle
ARTS ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
Eden Arts
VISUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Paul Scott, Cumbrian Blue(s)
WRITER OF THE YEAR
Sarah Hall, author of The Wolf Border
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jess Gillam, Ulverston saxophonist
JUDGES' SPECIAL AWARD:
Geoff and Christine Cox of Potfest
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS
Conrad Atkinson, from Cleator Moor
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS IN CUMBRIA
Patric Gilchrist, of Theatre by the Lake
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