Orkney’s Stephanie Hellewell Baird at Move Orkney has been awarded two one dance UK awards: the Dance Sector Spotlight Award, and the Green Dance Award.
The One Dance UK Awards is an annual celebration for people from across the dance sector to unite, celebrate, acknowledge and reward the people who have made an impact on the vibrant UK dance landscape. The One Dance UK Awards took place on Saturday 7 February 2026 in Bradford.
Commenting about the event Stephanie said:
Last weekend I was asked to join a panel discussion regarding environment and sustainability in touring.
The panel of peers included Mary Lawrence from SAIL, Lottie Stables from EQUITY, Alex Croft CEO of Bradford Arts Centre, Laura Sedgwick the Theatre Green Book, and me from Move Orkney. The panel was brought together by One Dance UK.
I’m still very new to the world of touring working as a promoter in Orkney. Six years ago, I noticed a large amount of dance artists and companies touring the Highlands and Islands and releasing that Orkney was being missed out. I took it upon myself to start reaching out to artists and organisations. I felt that if dance artists/companies want bums on seat the best model would be to develop community engagement. The first effort I make when working with artists is to ask about their community engagement offerings. This allows me to team the artist up with the right community group.
The other area I’m quite keen on supporting is a slow touring method. whereby the artist/companies are encouraged were appropriate to use public forms of transport and less air travel. Living on a rural island air instead of sea is quicker. We are not looking for a quick in/out performance job. we are looking for connection and collaboration. This not only brings more bums on seats, but it’s also allowing more people who live in a rural space a chance to experience more dance offering and for the sectors most creative individuals and professionals to build a platform for their art. It also offers less carbon footprint.
We have supported many artists now who have had great experiences and support along the way. This is the first time Orkney has had an independent dance promoter.
It was a wonderful event, and I was honoured to share the space with the audience and panel.
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