On the second anniversary of the death of choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne, The Lynne and Land Foundation has announce that it will award grants to four arts organisations close to her heart: The Royal Ballet School, ArtsEd, LAMDA and the Royal Academy of Dance.
Her husband Peter Land said, “our scholarships and grants are there to help where they are needed most, and I am sure this is just such a time. The funding is for actors and dancers in training to ensure their continued artistic education. These four institutions, who will distribute the funds at their own discretion, are known and respected for their high level of teaching standards and professionalism in the field of performing arts, providing creative and supportive environments for learning and development.”
Last year, the Foundation’s first grant was made to J R Ballantyne to help towards his drama school fees for his final year’s training at ArtsEd. He made his professional debut in the West End in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium and then appeared in Curtains at Wyndhams Theatre.
The Foundation has also announced 10 Patrons from across all fields of the arts: Sir Matthew Bourne, Dame Darcey Bussell, Chrissie Cartwright, Janie Dee, Dame Judi Dench, Hugh Quarshie, Sir Ken Robinson, Sir Patrick Stewart, Harriet Thorpe and Sir Peter Wright.
The Foundation Trustees are Luke Rittner, Robert Meadmore, Dan Ross and Peter Land.