Katie Mahon, a trailblazer from Bradford, has been honored with a National Lottery Award for her outstanding contribution to the arts sector. Growing up on a council estate and being the first in her family to attend university, Katie faced discrimination and felt out of place due to her background. Despite these challenges, her belief in the transformative power of the arts remained unshaken.
In 2014, during her first year at university, Katie founded the National Lottery-supported Bloomin’ Buds Theatre Company. This initiative aimed to eliminate the stigma faced by working-class individuals like herself within the arts community. Based at The Rockwell Community Centre on the Thorpe Edge estate, Bloomin’ Buds has become a beacon of creativity and inclusivity, attracting over 200 people to its weekly theatre sessions, community events, mental health projects, and performances.
One of Bloomin’ Buds’ significant achievements is commissioning and staging verbatim theatre pieces that spotlight working-class voices. Their latest production, “Where Is Love,” tells the story of a Bradford woman fighting against the cycle of domestic abuse, shedding light on important social issues.
Katie’s remarkable work and dedication to her community have earned her the prestigious National Lottery Award in the Arts, Culture & Film category in 2023. The award, presented by actor and Coronation Street star Jane Danson, recognizes Katie’s exceptional efforts in using the arts to empower and uplift working-class voices.
The National Lottery Awards serve as an annual tribute to ordinary individuals and organizations accomplishing extraordinary feats with the support of National Lottery funding. Katie’s recognition highlights the importance of her work and serves as a testament to her dedication to opening up the arts for everyone. She expressed her excitement about being a National Lottery Arts, Culture, and Film category winner, emphasizing the pride she feels in shining a light on working-class voices through her impactful initiatives.
