2017 Awardee: Rory Swietlicki

"I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Arts Award for enabling me to attend the Central School of Ballet, and setting me on the path to gaining the experience and training to hopefully fulfil my dream of becoming a professional dancer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Rory began dancing at a very young age, and has always shown passion, strong focus, and commitment to developing his skills to the highest level.

At age 12, Rory took part in a competitive audition process and gained a place at the prestigious Dance School of Scotland.  During his time at the school he was awarded the Progress Prize, took part in the school’s choreography performances, and performed in end of year shows at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow and The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. In 2013 he successfully auditioned for a part in Scottish Ballet’s production of Hansel & Gretel.   At the age of 16, Rory gained his RAD Advanced 1 (Ballet), ISTD Advanced 2 (National Dance), and ISTD Intermediate (Modern Dance) certificates.

In 2016, Rory was offered a place on the Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange Programme, where he attended weekly classes and workshops at Scottish Ballet.  This took much dedication and commitment as he took part in this alongside his dance school classes and studying for his National 5 exams.

Rory travelled to New York with the Youth Exchange group to collaborate with students from TISCH School of The Arts at New York University.  While there he had the opportunity to take classes at New York City Ballet.

At age 16, Rory competed against students from the UK and abroad for a place to study at the prestigious Central School of Ballet, London.  He was proud to be the only student in his year achieve this, and accepted a place on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance.

How the Award Helped

Rory’s Award supported him in attending the Central School of Ballet, and pursuing his chosen career.

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"I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Arts Award for enabling me to attend the Central School of Ballet, and setting me on the path to gaining the experience and training to hopefully fulfil my dream of becoming a professional dancer."

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2017 Awardee: Matthew Grouse

"This was a vital learning experience and one I feel has created a very tangible sense of forward momentum in my musical career"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.matthewgrousemusic.com/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/grouseyy

Biography

Matthew is a musician with exceptional credentials, exhibiting skills in a wide variety of settings from large scale compositions involving electronics and voices to delicate chamber works.

His work regularly combines media and is often concerned with human frailties and finding the remarkable in the seemingly ordinary aspects of everyday life. Activities include selection for Yaron Deutsch’s Electric Guitar Etude Project at Darmstadt; an EP release on New York based label, Not Art Records and being shortlisted in two categories of the 2018 Scottish Awards for New Music.

Matthew’s music has been showcased across the UK and internationally, in Germany, Italy, Egypt, USA, Canada and Ireland. His music has been performed or workshopped by artists including: Royal Northern Sinfonia; Hebrides Ensemble; Red Note Ensemble; The Assembly Project; DeCoda Ensemble; Gildas Quartet; Dohnányi String Trio; Sinae Lee (pianist) and Lewis Banks (saxophonist).

His work has featured at or is programmed for future performances at festivals such as Darmstadt; The Cumnock Tryst; St Magnus International Festival; Cottier Chamber Project; Leeds Lieder Festival; EviMus Festival and Sound / Image Colloquium.

Matthew is also passionate about inclusivity within new music. This has been reinforced by being awarded the 2017 Kimie Composition Prize, which resulted in Live Music Now Scotland commissioning an interactive string trio for performances in dementia care homes and traditional concert hall settings. Further to this, Matthew received an orchestral commission for the Nevis Ensemble’s inaugural tour, which will take in 70 performances in public and community settings around Scotland as part of Glasgow2018.

How the Award Helped

Industrious and dedicated, Matthew studied composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and whilst there was offered a place on the prestigious St Magnus Festival Composer’s Course. His Award supported him in accessing this exceptional opportunity to further develop his already commendable skillset.

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"This was a vital learning experience and one I feel has created a very tangible sense of forward momentum in my musical career"

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2017 Awardee: Stephanie Hunter

"The financial support from the Dewar Arts Award afforded me the time to learn without worrying about the income I couldn't afford to spare on professional development. I am endlessly grateful."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.stephaniekatiehunter.com/
 
 

Biography

Stephanie is a dynamic, committed and highly capable producer.  Her knowledge of contemporary performance and enthusiasm for her work has enabled her to produce work and manage projects on both national and international platforms.

Having trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Stephanie has collaborated with artists and organisations including the National Theatre of Scotland, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the National Theatre, the Citizens, Tramway, Anna Krzystek, Graham McLaren, Pachamama Productions, Indepen-Dance and Glas(s) Performance.

Stephanie’s ambition is to facilitate meaningful conversation between artists and their audiences through bespoke engagement activity.

How the Award Helped

Stephanie’s Award enabled her to attend Stage One’s New Producers’ Workshop.  This gave her the opportunity to reflect on her experience to date whilst accruing new skills and developing her creative networks.

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"The financial support from the Dewar Arts Award afforded me the time to learn without worrying about the income I couldn't afford to spare on professional development. I am endlessly grateful."

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2017 Awardee: Niall Anderson

"It is a tremendous privilege to study at such an institution and my Dewar Award has contributed to my studies immensely."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.niallandersonbaritone.co.uk/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/NAndoBaritone

Biography

Originally from the Levenmouth area of Fife, Niall attended the Kirkland High School in Methil before going on to complete a Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Aberdeen.

Niall’s love for singing was encouraged from an early age, but his passion for classical singing was discovered during his undergraduate degree. Upon graduating from the University of Aberdeen Niall was awarded the Carlaw Music award for all round musicianship. He then went on to gain a place to study at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of  Glenville Hargreaves and Jonathan Papp.

Performances to date include Bach’s St Johannes Passion in Germany, Brahms Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Mess Solennelle and the title role in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Niall made his Wigmore Hall debut in the Autumn of 2017 in a recital with Julian Prégardien and Christoph Schnakertz.

Niall has been a member of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music Song Circle and a featured soloist in the 2018 Royal Academy of Music/Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata Series.

How the Award Helped

Niall’s Award supported his postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

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"It is a tremendous privilege to study at such an institution and my Dewar Award has contributed to my studies immensely."

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2017 Awardee: Grace Green

"Receiving Dewar Arts Award funding has ensured my continued involvement with the National Ensemble 2017...furthering my training and learning and growth. Thank you."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From a young age, Grace had passion and talent for acting.  This was nurtured by classes at the Moray Steiner School (now the Drumduan School), by becoming a member of the Scottish Ballet Junior Associate Scheme and by auditioning successfully for the Eden Court Young Dance Company for 5 years consecutively.

Grace’s training also includes LAMDA syllabus acting exams and shows, productions with Youth Music Theatre UK, and being a company member of the Eden Court Collective for the National Theatre of Scotland Exchange Festival 2016. Grace has experience as a young company member for Ballet L’orent and the Rosie Kay Dance Company.

In 2017, Grace became a member of the inaugural Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble, where she had the opportunity to train with Frantic Assembly, fight director James McReady, devise and write a show with BAFTA award-winning writer David Cosgrove, and take a Shakespearean masterclass with Scottish Youth Theatre artistic director Mary McCluskey.

As a member of the National Youth Arts Advisory Group (working in conjunction with Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government), Grace developed her commitment to young people’s progression in and through the arts, and to the ‘Time to Shine’ National Youth Arts Strategy.  Her ambition is to continue her training in acting and physical theatre, and go on to teach and facilitate.

How the Award Helped

Grace’s Dewar Award supported her engagement with the National Ensemble 2017.

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"Receiving Dewar Arts Award funding has ensured my continued involvement with the National Ensemble 2017...furthering my training and learning and growth. Thank you."

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2017 Awardee: Bobby Sayers

"Without the funding from Dewar Art Award I would have had to turn down my place at Piet Zwart Institute. The award made furthering my education and progressing my career as an artist possible...I am extremely grateful."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.bobbysayers.com/
EMAIL:bobby@bobbysayers.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/bobbysayers

Biography

Bobby Sayers is an artist, designer and curator based in Glasgow/Rotterdam. Sayers’ practice explores themes of beauty and value through the frame of the city, his artworks often consider how we value ourselves and what authorship we have over our environments. Using film, performance, photography and sculpture to expose emotions and discuss the human condition and current sociopolitical situations.

Bobby has exhibited internationally and established residencies and arts projects across Scotland. As well as gaining one of only 10 places on a prestigious masters course at Piet Zwart Institute in Rotterdam, he has worked for many organisations and galleries across the UK such as Nottingham Contemporary, The Museum of Everything and You Me Bum Bum Train.  He has co-programmed for The Telfer Gallery, Glasgow, and has worked as a designer and website developer for Organise Consulting, a political campaigns organisation based in London.

Bobby has delivered a commission to develop progressive digital manufacturing and education schemes across 8 Libraries in East Dunbartonshire, runs an annual residency in Braemar, Scotland, and is involved in other projects across Scotland as part of the co-founded organisation Common Ground.

How the Award Helped

Bobby’s Dewar Arts Award contributed towards the course fees for his Masters of Fine Art at the Piet Zwart Institute.

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"Without the funding from Dewar Art Award I would have had to turn down my place at Piet Zwart Institute. The award made furthering my education and progressing my career as an artist possible...I am extremely grateful."

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2017 Awardee: Alistair Grant

"The support from the Dewar Award has enabled me to commit my time and energy to the course in a way that is truly freeing, I feel extremely lucky."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.ahgrant.co.uk/
EMAIL:alistairhgrant@gmail.com
 

Biography

Alistair Grant was born in Manchester and moved to Glasgow to study a BA in Sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art.  On graduating, he went on to study a Master of Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art.

Alistair is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores contemporary connections to the natural world. From sculptural and installation approaches through to performance and video games, Grant’s practice is concerned with how we negotiate and attribute value, whether aesthetic or ecological to these designated areas from within the built environment.

Alistair has undertaken residencies including The Wild Project (Czech Republic) and Odyssean (Orkney), which have resulted in exhibitions across the country. He has also made work for the Odyssean: Topographies exhibition at Hestercombe in Somerset.

In Spring 2014 Alistair Founded ‘The Number Shop’ Studios and Gallery, which he continues to manage as Director. To date TNS has hosted over 50 exhibitions and worked with over 150 emerging contemporary artists, highlights of our programme include Edinburgh College of Art Graduate Awards, Edinburgh Art Festival, Return Flight MEL-EDI (Melbourne – Edinburgh international artist-writer exchange), Edinburgh International Science Festival and Glasgow International 2018.

In August 2017, Alistair co-founded Edinburgh Contemporary Art Directory, a quarterly print listings publication (and online) that compiles activities, exhibitions and events from the Edinburgh scene, from independent artists, artist-run spaces and mid-large scale institutions.

Alistair’s ambition is to contribute to the Scottish contemporary art scene in a holistic way, supporting the work and activities of others alongside and intertwined with his own practice.

How the Award Helped

Alistair’s Dewar Award supported him in his studies, allowing him to fully pursue his aims to develop technical skills in workshops (physical sculpture processes in casting, digital 3D softwares and animation) whilst having the time to critically evolve his practice. The Award also allowed him to undertake his exhibition at Hestercombe.

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"The support from the Dewar Award has enabled me to commit my time and energy to the course in a way that is truly freeing, I feel extremely lucky."

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2016 Awardee: Mirren Mack

“I am so grateful for this opportunity. The Dewar Arts Award as has granted me freedom and the chance to study a school I had only dreamt of attending. Thank you.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised in Stirling, Mirren grew up the eldest daughter of an actor father and drama tutor mother. This early exposure to the world of theatre inspired Mirren to perform, and she took up classes in acting, dance and performing on stage from a very young age.

In her 5th year at high school Mirren auditioned for the Dance School of Scotland’s Musical Theatre course at Knightwood, where she went on to study full time for two years. Whilst there she demonstrated a rare combination of focus, maturity and natural talent.  She took part in many public performances, including two shows that took place in the Citizens Theatre (Batboy and Godspell). She won the drama prize for her year in 2015 and the Musical Theatre Award in her final year.

Mirren enjoyed all aspects of her training, however her passion for acting drove her to audition for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  She was successful in gaining a place, offering an excellent opportunity to study her craft at a highly prestigious school.

Mirren’s ambition is to develop her craft and perform both within theatre and film.

How the Award Helped

Mirren’s Dewar Arts Award enabled her to accept her place to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and to fully benefit from the opportunity to further her talents.

Since the Award

March 2020: Mirren gained her first prime time TV role in the BBC’s ‘The Nest’.  In an interview with The Mail on Sunday she credited her support from the Dewar Arts Awards as being vital in her development as an actor, without which she would not have been able to afford her tuition at Guildhall.

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“I am so grateful for this opportunity. The Dewar Arts Award as has granted me freedom and the chance to study a school I had only dreamt of attending. Thank you.”

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2016 Awardee: Joanne Dawson

"By staying in Glasgow and making this my indefinite base for working, I believe I'm able to flourish in a supportive environment full of opportunity."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.joannedawson.co.uk/
EMAIL:info@joannedawson.co.uk
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/joanne_dawson

Biography

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Joanne moved to Glasgow in 2012 to study Painting and Printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art.  Whilst there she was an active and engaged member of the student community, demonstrating a mature and driven attitude to her studies.  With a group of her peers, she arranged a series of collaborative exhibitions with the Edinburgh College of Art, and after graduation continued in roles with GSA Exhibitions and The Students’ Association.

Joanne organised an exhibition of Glasgow graduates at Blipblipblip in Leeds, was selected for The Telfer Gallery and EMBASSY Gallery’s annual graduate shows, and held her first solo show at VoidoidARCHIVE.

In 2017, Joanne had her first group international show in Madrid, and exhibited as part of the Glasgow International Arts Festival in 2016.

Joanne is a collaborator in Babaloose; a bi-monthly event in Glasgow. Babaloose uses open platform events, discussions & workshops to promote the politics of performing, and the power of an audience as a creative community.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award allowed Joanne to facilitate the production and development of research for her first solo show in Glasgow, and her first contributing publication “Stop! Slow down, take a minute” (available throughout the exhibition and at Good Press, Glasgow).  The project involved cross-collaboration with artists in Scotland and Madrid.

Since the Award

Having completed her first solo exhibition, Joanne updated us on her progress.

“Prior to the Dewar Award and 2017 in particular, I found it hard to determine what was a good opportunity that would enhance my career, or what was exploitative and without any recognition of time or free-labour. The experience of this exhibition has left me able to recognise what will be beneficial and progressive for my future artistic career.

I found receiving the Dewar Award, and working with the curatorial body ‘Very Friendly’ (now Love Unlimited), a very supportive moment of my career to date, and hope for this to happen again in the near future. The exhibition was highly regarded, and has enabled a string of opportunities since. I have been asked to take part in other exhibitions, as well as a number of solo-shows – another one in Glasgow and my first in Newcastle. As well as this, I am currently progressing with a mentorship programme and collaboration with the design duo ‘Tenement’ who make bespoke furniture for clients and organisations, based in Glasgow.

My development as an artist during this time has lead to more professional responsibility…This element allows me to see the business side of creative professions and taking the roles of many; manager, advertiser, producer, application writer. I see creative development as much about output, as much as commenting on the changes to arts that are currently underway, and how this will affect future generations of artists.

The Dewar Award has genuinely helped me develop so much in the last year and I hope that this progression continues.”

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"By staying in Glasgow and making this my indefinite base for working, I believe I'm able to flourish in a supportive environment full of opportunity."

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2016 Awardee: Matt Littleson

"This award came at a time when I seriously would not have been able to study at Mountview because of finances, so I hope it goes without saying how incredibly, sincerely grateful for the opportunity I am"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Raised in a small village called Uplawmoor near Glasgow, Matt joined PACE Youth theatre when he was 8. Although personal challenges led him to leave at 13, he rediscovered his love for acting when he played Vladimir in ‘Waiting for Godot’ during Higher Drama. His teacher told him he should pursue a career in the arts, and spurred on by this Matt trained on the HND Acting and Performance Course at Langside College.  There he gained experience in performing in shows such as ‘Once In a Lifetime’ and ‘Plaza Suite’, creating theatre for children and learning about the industry.

Towards the end of his HND course, Matt successfully auditioned for the lead role as Narrator in Tron Theatre’s production of ‘Under Milk Wood’, performed as part of the Commonwealth Season. This cemented him ambition to become a professional actor.  Following this, Matt gained a place to study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, taking him a step closer to realising his ambitions.

How the Award Helped

Matt’s Award enabled him to accept his place to study at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, equipping him with the essential tools he needs to become a professional actor.

Matt performing in ‘Under Milk Wood’ at Tron Theatre

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"This award came at a time when I seriously would not have been able to study at Mountview because of finances, so I hope it goes without saying how incredibly, sincerely grateful for the opportunity I am"

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