NYB awarded grant from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

We are thrilled to announce we have received funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund through Arts Council England. This grant will mean that we are able to continue offering masterclasses, workshops and engaging experiences to young dancers over the next few months.

Patricia Castanha, Chair of NYB said:
“Thank you so much to Arts Council England for this support, which will enable us to continue pursuing our mission of nurturing young people to create the ballet of the future, through a range of engaging experiences over the next few months. There are still challenges ahead but without this crucial investment at this time we wouldn’t be able to deliver these high-quality opportunities.”

The funding will help us to look ahead to the spring and summer, helping us recover after the turmoil and uncertainty of the last year, and giving a much-needed boost to our planning over the next few months.

On hearing our news Drew McOnie, NYB alumnus and Olivier Award winning choreographer, currently creating Merlin for Northern Ballet said:
“I was excited to hear that the National Youth Ballet has received much needed support from the Culture Recovery Fund. NYB was vital in my early days as an aspiring dancer and choreographer and my career would certainly be very different now without the incredible opportunities for growth and creative development they provided me. To know that they can now continue to provide opportunities to the next generation during this very difficult time means so much to me. It will have a huge impact on the future of dance in this country both on and off stage.”

NYB Alumnus and trustee, and first soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Jonathan Payn also sent the following message:

“The award from the Culture Recovery Fund could not have come at a more important time. Over the last 12 months NYB has pivoted quickly to find new ways to deliver activity, but the loss of face-to-face workshops, rehearsals and performances has hit the organisation hard. The funding will allow NYB to continue to build on the new ways of delivery but also, and most importantly, return to offering the unique experience of dance and creativity that has been denied to young dancers for too long. The wonderful legacy will continue.”

Follow our social media channels and keep an eye on our website for further news of our 2021 plans.