On a beautiful sunny and warm evening, Raby Castle, home of Lord Barnard, was the setting for a reception to acknowledge the generosity and influence of Rolex's Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative and the Garfield Weston Foundation's financial support for the arts. The Association also awarded an International Citation of Merit to the renowned teacher, Dorothy Heathcote, whose inspirational influence has been world-wide. Peter Maxwell Davies, one of the foremost composers of our time, became an ISPA Distinguished Artist.

Arts Council England, North East commissioned Glass Sculptures by local designer and maker, Kathryn Hodgkinson, for each of the award recipients.