Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) is delighted to announce the launch of the NSCD+ Bursary Programme, proudly supported by the Leverhulme Trust (Art Scholarship Training Opportunities for Under 18s).
This ambitious programme offers a vital pathway for talented young dancers facing financial barriers, enabling access to exceptional dance training and development opportunities. The NSCD+ Bursary Programme is designed to address inequity in the arts by supporting emerging talent through a carefully structured, three-level developmental journey and will include up to 32 bursaries for students. Activities include intensive training sessions, masterclasses with leading artists, tailored mentoring, theatre visits, and audition preparation — all aimed at helping participants reach their full potential.
With a wide geographical scope, the programme delivers activity at NSCD and in partnership with organisations across Yorkshire, the Northeast, Northwest, and Wales. This ensures broader regional access and engagement with young dancers who may not otherwise have the means to pursue professional training.
The bursary scheme is integral to this vision — supporting those with talent but limited financial resources and it is the first time we have received this strand of funding. It enables participation in weekend, after-school, and summer programmes, and creates a clear route into full-time professional training. Through a combination of skill development, technical enhancement, and mentorship, the programme nurtures the next generation of dance artists and leaders.
Sharon Watson MBE DL and CEO and Principal of NSCD said:
“We are deeply grateful to the Leverhulme Trust for their generous support. Their investment enables us to build inclusive and sustainable routes into dance, and to continue our work in identifying and empowering the artists of tomorrow.”
Darren Carr, Director of Higher Education of NSCD said:
"We are delighted to acknowledge the longstanding support of the Leverhulme Trust, whose Arts Scholarship Awards have played a crucial role in supporting undergraduate and postgraduate students at NSCD over many years. This latest award will continue to enable a small number of talented young artists to access high-quality higher education and training, helping to remove financial barriers and nurture the next generation of creative voices. We are deeply grateful for this award, which directly supports our students to focus upon their studies, enabling them to thrive, create, and shape the future of dance.”
For more information about the NSCD+ Bursary Programme, please contact: participation@nscd.ac.uk
