21 November 2007
Scotland's emerging talent
The emerging artistic talent in Scotland is formidable, and, since their inauguration five years ago, The Dewar Arts Awards, set up in memory of Scotland’s first First Minister, have disbursed over one and a quarter million pounds to more than 100 young people. Recently more enormously talented artists working in various art forms throughout Scotland have benefited.
Ruth Wishart, chair of the Dewar Trustees said: “It’s heartening that five years after the Dewar Arts Awards were set up, we continue to receive nominations of a consistently high standard. It is a wonderfully imaginative way of giving our creative young people the chance to achieve their potential, and a fine way to commemorate the contribution made by Scotland’s first First Minister to Scottish life.”
In the world of music and opera the following awards were made towards their studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London: Daniel Short (Glasgow) to pursue a Masters in Performance/Jazz Guitar, Ross McInroy (Arbroath) to further his opera studies, Caroline Sharp (Banff) towards her studies in violin performance and Laura Kelly (Glasgow) to support her postgraduate studies. Ronald Nairne (Kirkcaldy) received an award to further his studies at the National Opera Studio, Wandsworth and Lyndsey Payne (Glasgow) towards her studies at SUNY, Fredonia. Russian born, Maria Kozlova now studying in Glasgow, gained further support to attend the RSAMD Opera Course. Alasdair Spratt (Clydebank) and Alfred Caponnetto (Edinburgh) received assistance towards a PhD in composition. Mairéad McManus (Paisley) to pursue a Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick, Naomi Berrill (Glenrothes) to attend a jazz and experimental music course in Banff, Canada and Barbara Misiewicz, originally from Poland, received help towards a B Mus at the RSAMD. Patrick Kenny (Edinburgh) received an award to attend the Beijing International Trombone Festival.
Two Glasgow based artists received visual art awards: Sandy Smith to assist in costs for a solo exhibition at LowSalt, Glasgow, in 2008 and Caroline Walker to support her Masters in painting at RCA London. Katri Walker, also from Glasgow, received help to realise a film project to exhibit during the 3rd Glasgow International, Jen Hadfield (Barra) to realise a visual arts/literature project and Jenny Randall (Dundee) to study film production at Vancouver Film School. Christopher Murray (Glenrothes) to attend an intensive course in editing at the Metropolitan Film School London.
Selina Law (Dundee) received an award towards creating a new fashion accessory collection, Gayle Rankin (Kilmarnock) received support to study drama at the Julliard School, New York, Martin O’Connor (Glasgow) was supported to write and produce a new production for Glasgay!. Michael Osborne (Edinburgh) received support for a production and management course.
Ani Batikian, Donald Grant, Duncan Lyall, Jenna Reid, Cheryl Turner, Michael Turner, Sadah Webster, Stewart Webster (Glasgow), Ruth Davidson (Leuchers), Calum MacLeod (Edinburgh), Struan Thorpe (Lochgilphead), Samuel Rutherford (Isle of Coll), Yvonne Paterson (Paisley), Ryan Young (Cardross), Katie McIvor (Eddleston), Siona Watson (Livingston) and Fraya Thomsen (Arisaig) all received assistance to purchase musical instruments. Gordon Bragg (Dunblane) was suported for a series of orchestral scores.
Notes to Editors
The rules of the Dewar Arts Awards are simple. The candidates have to be living in Scotland, under 30, able to demonstrate outstanding ability in any art form and without the financial means fully to realise their potential. Friends, colleagues, tutors or someone with knowledge of their work can nominate anyone. Candidates may also require to have previous work professionally assessed.
The trustees have at their disposal the income from a trust fund set up by the then Scottish Executive in memory of Donald Dewar, the first First Minister of Scotland. Applications are accepted all year round recognising that opportunities do not always fall conveniently into the financial calendar year. This rolling format also means there are no deadlines to be met.
Applications are assessed by some of the most respected names in the arts. Among the trustees, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Ruth Wishart are Catherine Lockerbie (Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival) and John Wallace (Director of the RSAMD), Faith Liddell (Director of Festivals Edinburgh), Sir Brian McMaster (retired Director Edinburgh International Festival), Lesley Thomson (Director Liddell Thomson Consultancy) chair of The Arches, James Boyle who chaired the Cultural Commission and Jean Urquhart, vice convenor of Highland Council. Patrons of the Awards include Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Giles Havergal, Tommy Smith and Callum Innes.
Further details of the awards can be found at www.dewarawards.org or by emailing admin@dewarawards.org.
For further Press Information: Liz Smith
Tel 0141 423 4373 Mobile: 07971 417210
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