Arts Aid, the Isle of Man charity supporting exceptionally talented young people in the arts, has granted £85,300 to 17 students as part of its 2026/27 awards.
Now in its ninth year, the charity has now surpassed £500,000 in funds used to support the island’s rising stars in music, drama, dance, fine art, design and related disciplines.
This year’s recipients are:
Kasia Ashton – (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow – BA (Hons) Musical Theatre)
Sebastian Sgouraditis – (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – BMus Vocal Performance)
Ophelia Watts – (Pembroke College, Cambridge – BA (Hons) Music)
Daniel Lawrie – (ArtsEd – BA (Hons) Acting)
Hannah Kermode – (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – BMus Performance)
Grace Pope – (PPA, Guildford – BA (Hons) Performance in MT)
Josie Laisney – (University of Brighton – Fashion Design with Business Studies)
Evie Skillicorn – (Mountview Academy, London – BA (Hons) Performance (Musical Theatre)
Eve Puzzar – (London School of Musical Theatre – Musical Theatre Diploma)
Lucia Prince – (Bath Spa University – BA (Hons) Fashion Design)
Ealish Creer – (The Hammond, University of Chester – BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance)
Sam Hills-Field – (Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester – MA Music)
Maeve Wilson – (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – BA (Hons) Acting)
Lula Thomas – (Glasgow School of Art – BA (Hons) Fine Art – Painting & Printmaking)
Lowenna Joughin – (The Hammond School, Chester – Dance and Musical Theatre Intense Course)
Joshua Mooney – (The Hammond School, Chester – Level 6 Professional Diploma: Musical Theatre)
Skyler Aitchison – (London Contemporary Dance School – BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance)
Chairman of Arts Aid, Mark Denton, said: “The cost of studying away from home, in particular to specialist institutions which charge higher fees, can be a major obstacle for students.
Arts Aid seeks to ensure that no one with exceptional talent in their area of the arts should be prevented from pursuing their goal for financial reasons.”
He added: “We are immensely proud that this year our awards have passed such a significant milestone. The growth of Arts Aid demonstrates the generosity of our supporters and the ambition of our young people.
“These awards not only transform individual lives but also strengthen the cultural future of our Island.”
Arts Aid’s directors expressed thanks to sponsors and supporters including the Elizabeth Clucas Charitable Trust, the J R Moore Charitable Trust, the Gough Richie Charitable Trust, the Co-op Community Fund, the Sovereign Art Foundation, the W H C Brien Musical Benefactor Trust, ILS-World, Isle of Man Advertising, and Ramsey Crookall.
Applications for the 2027 awards programme open in January. Details of the funding process and deadline dates can be found at arts-aid.im.