Isle of Man Arts Council announces annual student awards

The Isle of Man Arts Council (“IOMAC”) has announced the recipients of their annual student awards for 2022/23.  Awarded to students moving into or currently in further or higher education, the three awards are each worth £10,000 over the duration of a course.

The Jonathan Gollow Award for Performing Arts has been awarded to Jack McLean, who will be attending the BIMM Institute in Manchester to study Popular Music Performance and Music Production.

Jack said: “I'm really looking forward to meeting all the other musicians and working on my skills on stage and in the studio, and I believe that this experience will provide me with many amazing opportunities to grow and develop as a musician and engineer. I am incredibly grateful for the Isle of Man Arts Council's generosity, and their contribution will help massively in my upcoming journey.” 

The Norman Sayle Award for Visual Art and Literature has been awarded to Lucy Skillicorn who will be attending Leeds Art University to study for a BA (Hons) in Illustration.

Lucy said: “It is a real privilege for me to have won this award to help me with my studies at Leeds Arts University. In September I will be starting my degree in Illustration and hope to pursue this as a career. I am extremely grateful to the Isle of Man Arts Council for assisting me, and I can’t wait to get started!”

The Isle of Man Arts Council Award has been awarded to Lily-Malane McKinnon who will be studying for a BA (Hons) Ballet Education at Royal Academy of Dance in London.

Lily said: “I have wanted to study at the Royal Academy of Dance after completing grades 1-8 with them and a further 3 vocational exams at their headquarters, where I fell in love with all things dance. Relocating to London is extremely exciting but also daunting and the help of the Isle of Man Arts Council has given me the chance to fulfil my dreams of becoming a dance teacher, and I will be forever grateful to them for their support.”

Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council, Mrs Marlene Maska MLC commented  “Knowing the challenges which still face so many of our students in these difficult times, I am privileged to be involved in this really positive news and proud that the Isle of Man Arts Council is able to offer support to these very talented young people. The standard of applications was extremely high which made for very difficult decisions by Council.

I feel sure that I speak for all the Arts Council members, together with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, our Sponsoring Department, when I offer warmest congratulations to all three of our recipients and wish them well in their chosen studies on the pathway to a future career in the Arts.”

The Awards are named in memory of former Isle of Man Arts Council members, music promoter Jonathan Gollow and artist Norman Sayle, and are awarded annually.

The Isle of Man Arts Council

The Isle of Man Arts Council was set up over 50 years ago to support the work of local amateurs and professionals as well as visiting artists. It funds many organisations and offers advice and information to hundreds of people every year, encouraging and enabling participation and development in all aspects of the arts.

Membership of the Arts Council is voluntary. Members give their time freely to serve the people of the Isle of Man by developing and improving the knowledge, understanding, practice and access to the arts in all its forms. The Arts Council is a sponsored body of the Department of the Education, Sport and Culture.

Current members

The current chair of the IOM Arts Council is Mrs. Marlene Maska MLC.

Current Council members are: Laura Rowles, Chris Williamson, Sharon Walker, Ben Heath, Steven Daykin, David Kilgallon and Jeremy Theobald.

See all council member bios here: https://www.iomarts.com/who-we-are/members

National Joint Strategy for Culture and the Arts

The IOM Arts Council and Culture Vannin have a shared vision to promote and develop arts and culture on the Isle of Man. Whilst we work together to do this through our Joint National Strategy, we do so in very different and wholly distinct ways.

Read more about our initiatives here: https://www.iomarts.com/national-strategy

Culture Vannin is represented on the council by Chris Williamson and the IOM Arts Council are in turn represented on the Culture Vannin Board by Jade Boylan.

Contact Us

The Isle of Man Arts Council

Department of Education Sport and Culture

Unit 8, Villa Marina Arcade

Harris Promenade

Douglas

IM1 2HN

Telephone: +44 1624 694598