In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the J. M. Barrie Awards, taking place this November at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, Taking Flight are delighted to announce that their Participation, Access & Inclusion Officer, Steph Bailey-Scott is one of this year’s winners, making her not only the first Deaf recipient of the award, but also the first winner to be based in Wales.
Action for Children’s Arts Ambassador and Founder Vicky Ireland MBE says, ‘Over the past 20 years it has been our charity's honour to recognise the contribution of so many wonderful artists for children, through our unique J.M Barrie Awards. And it is with huge pride that we honour this year’s winners – three outstanding artists whose inspirational work proves the transformative power of the arts and cultural education, in nurturing creativity, artistry, imagination and empathy in the lives of our nation’s children.’
Taking Flight’s Stephanie Bailey-Scott – an actress, theatre maker and workshop leader – is the recipient of the Education Award, which recognises individuals for their direct contributions to children’s arts education and mentorship, demonstrating their commitment to go above and beyond for their communities and nurturing lifelong passions for the arts.
Stephanie is Participation, Access & Inclusion officer at Taking Flight Theatre Company, where she works to connect young Deaf people to Deaf role models from diverse cultures and experiences, increasing their confidence; broadening their networks; and helping them to build their futures in the arts and beyond. Taking Flight makes bold, unusual theatre productions with Deaf, disabled, non-disabled and neurodiverse performers.
Stephanie also leads Taking Flight Youth Theatre (Wales’ only youth theatre for Deaf and hard of hearing people), something that she is immensely proud of. Herself Deaf and disabled, Stephanie is also known for her stylish walking sticks!
Multi-award-winning author and illustrator Michael Forman OBE, RDI will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to children’s arts, across his prolific career spanning over 250 books as either illustrator, author or both. He has collaborated with Michael Morpurgo and Terry Jones; illustrated authors as varied as Shakespeare, J.M. Barrie, and the Brothers Grimm; and is the author and illustrator of children’s classics War Boy and War Game.
Previous winners of ACA’s Lifetime Achievement Award have included Malorie Blackman, Jamila Gavin, Sir Philip Pullman CBE, Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE, and Sir Quentin Blake.
Sir Frank Bowling OBE – hailed as one of the foremost British artists of his generation, and the first black artist to be elected to the Royal Academy of Arts – will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award. This is in recognition of his Circa Pipeline project, developed to mark his 90th Birthday in 2024. Sir Frank says, ‘It’s not just about making art; it’s about making sure [children] feel empowered to create, no matter what. Let’s spark that fire early on.’ Previous winners of this award include Krystyna Budzynska, Director of the Primary Royal Academy of Music.