Hull Truck Theatre won the Arts and Culture Award at the White Rose Awards in a ceremony at Leeds First Direct Arena. This is the second time that the theatre has scooped the Arts and Culture prize; they won in 2015 for their key role in the planning of Hull 2017. 

The judges chose Hull Truck Theatre as the Arts and Culture Award winners because of their cultural ambition during their Year of Exceptional Drama for Hull UK City of Culture 2017, for championing stories dug from the heart of their city, and for their commitment to working for and with their local community.

Mark Babych and Janthi Mills-Ward, Joint Executive Directors at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “We’re delighted to have won the Arts and Culture Award for the second time. It recognises the huge efforts the whole team has put in to deliver what’s been a truly exceptional year for Hull Truck Theatre. We’ve produced the largest shows in the theatre’s history, attracted more audiences than ever before, and have worked with prestigious national and international partners like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Market Theatre of Johannesburg. Our Arts and Culture win is a great opportunity for us to take a brief pause and celebrate what we’ve achieved this year.”

Martin Green, Director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, said: "Congratulations to the Hull Truck Theatre team for an outstanding year and their well-deserved award. They have been brilliant partners, staging a wonderful variety of work that has played a key role in Hull's City of Culture success and cemented Hull Truck's status as a leading producer of theatre in Yorkshire, across the North and nationally."

Hull Truck Theatre were up against other cultural champions of the region including Impressions Gallery, Kuntshuis Gallery, Spear at Semerwater – Dales Countryside Museum, The Craft Centre and Design Gallery, West Yorkshire Playhouse, and Yorkshire Young Sinfonia. The finest businesses in Yorkshire culture and tourism were announced across 17 categories, ranging from Large Visitor Attraction to Yorkshire Pub of the Year. 

The White Rose Awards, run by official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, have been recognising success in tourism for over 25 years.