We’re pleased to see a number of awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours go to members of the Outdoor Arts community. These are all good friends to our sector, important leaders in the wider cultural sector and well-deserved of national recognition. Massive congratulations to them all.
Victoria Dela Amedume MBE
Vicki is Artistic Director of Upswing and Creative Director of the Albany in Deptford. Throughout her career, outdoor work has been a huge part of her creative identity and she has long been a sector leader in both circus and outdoor arts.
Gurvinder Sandher MBE
Gurvinder is the Director of Cohesion Plus and his far-reaching work bringing communities together in Kent has always included a large element of outdoor arts; look carefully and you might spot him as one of the Dancing Maharajahs…
Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE
Her extraordinary outdoor show, Black Victorians, is currently touring and demonstrates Jeanefer’s brilliant blend of choreography and powerful narrative. Her work is also well known on a large scale and her direction can be seen in many large scale parades and events.
Jenny Sealey OBE
Jenny is a great advocate for the deaf and disabled community, but above and beyond, she is an inspirational creative visionary. Her leadership of Graeae over many years is unparalleled and she has always been a good friend to the outdoor sector.
Chenine Bhathena MBE
With a long history working with outdoor arts as a producer, for Arts Council England and for the London Mayor, Chenine has led Coventry City of Culture 2021 through a difficult time and, despite a global pandemic, managed to engage the city in many, many ways indoors, outdoors and online.
Martin Wilson MBE
Martin is the Executive Director of Tin Arts, which he set up to address the lack of provision for people with a learning disability to participate in dance and the wider performing arts and it is a nationally recognised leader in best-practice inclusive dance delivery.
