Trio of puppeteers nominated for £10k Arts Foundation Fellowship

Published Tuesday 17 November 2009 at 15:50 by Matthew Hemley

Puppeteers Michael Fowkes, Mervyn Millar and Gavin Skerritt have been shortlisted for an Arts Foundation Fellowship, worth £10,000 to the winning applicant.

Mervyn Millar, who worked as puppet associate on the National Theatre's production of War Horse (pictured), is one of the shortlisted pupeteers for an Arts Foundation Fellowship Photo: Tristram Kenton

The £10,000 fellowships offer “a creative breathing space” for artists who have achieved some recognition for their work, but who could benefit from a time of creative development without the worry of where their next commission is coming from.

Fowkes has worked on shows including The Winter’s Tale for the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me for The Little Angel Puppet Theatre, while Millar worked as puppet associate on the National Theatre’s production of War Horse.

Skerritt has recently been awarded a bursary to explore how animation and choreography relate.

Puppetry is one of the five art forms being recognised as part of the 2010 awards, which will also honour artists working in cinematography, graphic novels, jewellery design and textile art.

Judges for the puppetry shortlist included director of the International Mime Festival Helen Lannaghan, Lyndie Wright, co-founder of The Little Angel Puppet Theatre, and puppeteer Steve Tiplady.

The recipients of the awards will be announced on January 28.