Students were given a share of $40,000 in grants to help them achieve their dreams of having creative careers.

Six students were the recipients of the 2021 Bermuda Arts Council Grant, which assists creative Bermudians in seeking further education.

Naimah Frith received $10,000 to complete her master's degree in teaching fine art.

Ms Frith, who attends Kean University in New Jersey, said: “I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity as it is also a reminder of the kind of support I hope to be able to give to Bermuda’s youth upon my return.”

Zihaire Adams, a student at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, received $7,500 to continue his bachelor's degree in theatre lighting.

He said: “My goal is to be able to run and design productions all over the world, then return home to Bermuda to teach the next generations.

“Getting this Bermuda Arts Council grant will make my goals more possible.”

Nalani Dowling also received a $7,500 grant, which will fund her master's degree in film, television and digital media.

Ms Dowling, who has started the second year of her masters programme, said that she hoped to expand her knowledge of screenwriting, directing and production.

She added: “Thanks to the Bermuda Arts Council, I will have the financial fortitude to fully prepare for my thesis and finish strong.

“This generous grant is an encouraging and empowering reminder that my island truly values the arts, and invests in young creatives.”

The other three students each received $5,000 to help with their education.

Ravi Cannonier-Watson, a five-time Bermuda Arts Council Grant recipient, will enter his first year at the prestigious Royal Ballet Upper School in London.

He said: “I feel extraordinarily supported by my country and am truly grateful for the generous financial assistance I have had over the last five years.

“I am excited to start a fresh page of working with new teachers, having more performance opportunities and meeting students like myself who are striving for excellence at the Royal Ballet School.”

Gherdai Hassle will use the grant to assist with her studies at the China Academy of Art in as she enters her final year of her masters programme in contemporary art.

She said that the money would be used to help fund the research and development of her thesis, Migrations and Aesthetics: contemporary art and visual culture of the Caribbean diaspora.

Ms Hassle added: “I am extremely grateful to continue my studies in art, the field I have chosen to dedicate my life's work to.

“This degree lays the foundation for my desired education in the field.”

Daelyn Saint-Surin will also use her $5,000 grant to fund her bachelor's degree in graphic design at St Lawrence College in Toronto.

Ms Saint-Surin said that the grant would lighten her financial burden and allow her to focus on her studies.

She added that she was “sincerely honoured” to win the grant.

Ms Saint-Surin said: “Due to the their generosity, I am closer to completing my degree and plan to help small upcoming Bermudian businesses with their branding and creative direction.”

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said: “We are incredibly pleased to be able to once again support a number of talented young Bermudians who are making such significant impacts in so many areas of the arts.”

Jennifer Phillips, the Bermuda Arts Council Chair, added: “The 2021 BAC student grant recipients represent Bermuda’s next generation of visual artists, graphic designers, filmmakers, dancers and theatre lighting designers.

“We congratulate the successful awardees, and look forward to following their artistic achievements.”

• To apply for the annual Bermuda Arts Council Grant visit the council’s website or the Bermuda Scholarships’ website.