Launching the Pat Prime Award

Following the powerful Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, it became very clear that there is more NYB can do to ensure our work and participants are more representative of the world we live in. We have worked with Siân Prime, to create an award to attract and enrol young, black dancers with remarkable potential, inviting recipients to take part in NYB’s Dancers’ Development Experience.

There are two bursaries of £400 available, towards the cost of the Dancers’ Development Experience – one for a senior dancer (12-18 yr olds) and one for a junior dancer (9-11 yr olds). Applicants must be of black African or black African-Caribbean descent and the deadline for applicants is 31 May 2021.

Cassa Pancho MBE, Founder & Artistic Director of Ballet Black endorsed the initiative by saying;
“I founded Ballet Black almost 20 years ago to create a much-needed platform for dancers of Black and Asian descent. In the last year, I have been pleased to learn more about the NYB’s active steps to make dance more inclusive and reflective of our world today, and I endorse their recently launched Pat Prime Award, which will support talented young dancers of Black African and/or Black African-Caribbean heritage. This type of action is what our industry needs to ensure that young, diverse talent is nurtured in a genuine and useful way.”

“Pat Prime (11 May 1936 – 13 August 2018)  was the typical, extraordinary ballet teacher. Teaching ballet for over 60 years, she taught dance for longer. She died the week after she had completed teaching a Summer School. She guided and instructed so many people, many of whom became dancers, teachers, actors. Her alumni became Principal Dancers in the Royal Ballet, Phoenix Dance Company, Northern Ballet Theatre and in West End productions. She stimulated a love for the arts, and a sense of self-confidence in all she taught. Most importantly, she believed in supporting people to be their best and worked tirelessly to inspire others. She knew that if people had access to opportunity and belief then the art would follow. This award was created from donations from friends, family, colleagues and ex-pupils, and is a reminder that inclusion and joy in dance need to be strived for. It is given in memory of her and some of her ex-pupils and is to inspire change.”
Siân Prime, Pat’s daughter.

The Pat Prime award is one of a number of bursaries available for a range of NYB activities ensuring that our empowering and transformational creative and performance opportunities are available to all young people. Find out more about all available bursaries here.