Celebrating the people who make our capital city so creative - Lorna Slater

But that vibrancy depends on people and organisations working hard. That is why I was pleased to visit Creative Edinburgh at their Castle Terrace home recently.

The Pianodrome is among the finalists at the Creative Edinburgh Awards

I heard how it brings creative people together, supports careers and builds connections across the city. As a registered charity and Scotland’s largest professional network for creatives, it offers mentoring, professional development and events, as well as a community to share ideas, find collaborators and know they are not working alone.

This Friday, 13 November, the Creative Edinburgh Awards return to Central Hall for their 15th anniversary. Since the awards began in 2012, more than 150 creative individuals and organisations have been recognised. This year’s shortlist is an inspiring snapshot of the breadth of talent in our city. Thirty-two finalists have been selected from more than 140 nominations across eight categories.

Among those recognised are Pianodrome, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Screen Education Edinburgh and Summerhall Arts in the Community Award; Hidden Door and Manipulate Festival in the Festivals Award; and individuals including Darren Wilkie, Fiona Linton, Jess Abrams and Kat Brooks. The shortlist also celebrates creative projects bringing people together through inclusion, collaboration and innovation.

The evening will be opened by Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllan, hosted by spoken-word artist Katie Ailes, with performances from Tinderbox Collective. It promises to be a celebration of the finalists and the creative community that makes Edinburgh such a distinctive place to live and visit.

Congratulations to everyone shortlisted. I would encourage anyone who cares about Edinburgh’s creative life to come along, support these people and be part of the celebration.

Tickets are available now from Creative Edinburgh’s website.