The Arts Society at 50: the grant recipient’s story

Last year we featured dance student Rishan Benjamin in The Arts Society Magazine – here, we catch up with her as she reaches the culmination of her Central Ballet course.

Photo: John Millar 

Organisations such as The Arts Society play a vital role in enabling young people to pursue their dreams.
 
Growing up, I had always taken part in sports – everything from football to athletics – but I discovered ballet when the Royal Ballet came to my school as part of its Chance to Dance scheme. I was invited to start classes and went on to secure a place at Central School of Ballet.
 
Two years ago, a member of The Arts Society Harlow helped secure bursary support for me and one of my peers at Central. The grant has enabled me to move closer to the school and with the costs of rent, food, transport and equipment. We can go through up to four pairs of pointe shoes a week, which cost around £60 a pair.
 
Central has exposed me to many aspects of dance – not only ballet, but also contemporary, jazz, improvisation, choreography and more – and taught me how to be more confident and expressive with my movements. Artists that inspire me include fellow student Natasha Chu, whose contemporary work I performed as part of my course last year. Over the next few months, I’m going to be performing in our nationwide Ballet Central tour, which marks the culmination of our studies.
 
There is an ever-growing need for funding and sponsorship to help talented people get into the arts and I am incredibly grateful for the support of The Arts Society. It has made a significant difference to my dance training and I am excited to take my career to the next level.
 
As told to Elizabeth Oliver for The Arts Society Magazine spring 2018. Ballet Central 2018 is touring UK venues until 14 July 2018.