Art Ease CIC, based in Southport, has been chosen as a finalist for the Mission Possible Award at this year’s Small Awards, recognising Britain’s most inspiring small businesses.
Now in its tenth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the UK’s greatest small firms across all sectors.
It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions and supports the nation’s 5.5 million small firms.
Founded in June 2024 by Artist and former NHS nurse Emmy Porter, Art Ease CIC is a Sefton-based non-profit organisation dedicated to removing barriers to the arts and supporting wellbeing through accessible creative workshops across the North West.
Last month Emmy Porter was a Finalist in the Sefton Arts Award sponsored by Fitton Estates in the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport.
Art Ease CIC creates safe, welcoming spaces where people can connect, explore creativity, and improve their mental wellbeing, particularly those experiencing isolation, anxiety, or social disadvantage.
Art Ease CIC has been selected as one of just eight finalists for the Mission Possible Award for best Social Enterprise, which recognises a small business driven by its mission over and above financial performance, benefiting a group, a community, or society more widely.
The Small Awards celebrate the successes of Britain’s small businesses, with eleven different awards recognising firms leading the way across everything from sustainability to digital adoption, and showcasing all types of small businesses including social enterprises, family-owned businesses, sole traders, and start-ups.
Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, said:
“We are so proud to be celebrating a decade of the Small Awards. The awards celebrate the very best of the UK’s small business owners, who make such a difference in their local communities and are a key driver of the nation’s economic growth.
“The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the success and contributions of so many small businesses – Art Ease CIC is extremely deserving of being a finalist, and we look forward to celebrating together in May.”
Emmy Porter, Founder of Art Ease CIC, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the Mission Possible Award.
“Art Ease was created to make creativity accessible to everyone and to support people’s wellbeing through welcoming community spaces. To have this work recognised on a national level is incredibly special and a testament to the amazing participants, partners and communities we work with every day.”
Judged by a panel of industry experts, the winners of all categories, including the overall winner of the Small Business of the Year award, will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 21st May 2026.
The ceremony will be held at Christchurch in Spitalfields, London, with plans underway for a night of entertainment, inspiration and celebration for the UK’s greatest small businesses.
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