New ’24-Hour Heroes’ portrait series celebrates the unsung heroes behind the scenes in the arts

Sky Arts today announces the launch of 24-Hour Heroes - a striking new portrait series shining a light on the people who keep the UK’s arts world alive around the clock, ahead of the Sky Arts Awards at The Roundhouse, London, on 16^th September.

The 24-Hour Heroes series celebrates 24 unsung arts workers – from stage managers unlocking doors at dawn to cleaners and book editors working into the night, revealing the huge range of roles that keep creativity thriving.

Across 24 hours on launch day, 27^th August, Sky Arts will reveal the portraits on Instagram - taken by photographers across the UK including Ricky Darko, Julie Broadfoot and Simon Murrell - before exhibiting the full collection at The Roundhouse during the Awards.

The series features stage managers, bar staff, cleaners, archive curators, book award judges, literary agents, directors, costume designers, wig makers, photographers, and even a canine wellbeing officer, Jelly Bean, the Jack Russell and Pomeranian mix, from the National Theatre of Scotland.

Those photographed hail from across the UK and represent a wide array of organisations, including Soho Theatre, National Theatre Scotland, Youth Music, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Scottish Opera, Art UK, London Film School, Leeds City Council, Royal Theatre in London and Billy & Andy’s Music School in Manchester.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: "Too often, attention goes only to those on stage or in front of the camera, but the truth is, the arts are powered 24/7 by an army of extraordinary people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK arts world thriving. We want to champion the unsung Arts Heroes with the Arts Hero Award – the riggers, engineers, drivers, mentors and many more - and remind the public that the arts really are for everyone.”

When asked what the arts mean to him, Patrick Ahaotu, cleaner and assistant building supervisor at National Theatre Scotland commented: “As one of the first points of contact with NTS, my job has given me the opportunity to work alongside people from all walks of life, talent, skills, and backgrounds, which has helped in building my confidence and improving my communication skills.”

Eliyah Reihana, receptionist and admin assistant at London Film School added: “For me, the arts are about the people I meet every day - the friendships, the stories, and the shared passion for creativity.”

The series marks the opening of nominations for the Arts Hero Award as part of the Sky Arts Awards in September - the only awards to celebrate the arts across the UK in its entirety, including recognising the contributions of all those behind the scenes who keep the UK’s arts sector running.

The Sky Arts Awards takes place on 16^th September at The Roundhouse, London and celebrates the best of British and Irish culture across comedy, dance, film, and literature to opera, visual art and theatre.

For more information, please contact:
Sophie.donne@workandclass.agency or lauri.beecroft@workandclass.agency.

Notes to Editors:

• 24 Hour Heroes portraits taken by Ricky Darko, Julie Broadfoot and Simon Murrell. 

Arts Heroes featured in the series: 

• Patrick Ahaotu, Assistant Building Supervisor & Cleaner, National Theatre Scotland 

• Jelly Bean, Wellbeing Officer, National Theatre Scotland 

• Lea Davis, Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager, Royal Theatre 

• Ben Dalton, Assistannt Stage Manager, Royal Theatre 

• Sanchia Clarke, Wigs, Hair & Makeup Assistant, Royal Theatre 

• Victoria Fenton, Wigs, Hair & Makeup Assistant, Royal Theatre 

• Mick Richardson, Volunteer Sculpture Photographer, Art UK 

• Janet Richardson, Volunteer Sculpture Photographer, Art UK 

• Mike Longhurst, Mural Photographer, Art UK 

• Eliyah Reihana, Receptionist & Administrative Officer, London Film School 

• Melissa Izzet, Marketing Coordinator, London Film School 

• Siddarth Menon, Freelance Director & Producer, London Film School 

• Jim Madeja, Archival Curator, London Film School 

• Andy Haines & Billy Payne, Directors, Billy & Andy’s Music School 

• Talia Andrea, NextGen Community Producer, Youth Music 

• Georgia Garrett, Literary Agent, RCW Literary Agency 

• Alessandro Babalola, Creative Associate, Soho Theatre 

• Eve Allin, Theatre Producer, Soho Theatre 

• Ann Wishart, Arts Development Manager, Leeds City Council 

• George Chadwick & Nathan Apps, Sound and Lighting Technicians, Brudenell Social Club 

• Becca Blake, Bartender, Brudenell Social Club 

• Sarah Gwonyoma, Book Critic, What Sarah Read Next 

• Lorna Price, Head of Costume, Scottish Opera 

• Tom Smith & Al Clarke, Co-Founder & Volunteer, MAP (Music & Arts Production) 

• 24 portraits unveiled across 24 hours on Sky Arts Instagram from 00:01 on 27 August 2025. 

• Portrait exhibition on display at The Roundhouse on the day of the Awards, 16 September. 

• Arts Hero Award nominations open 27 August – 4 September via skyartsawards.sky/.