Breathtaking Imagination Receives New Arts Bursary

Matt Hutchinson and Grace Emily Manning are the first young talents to receive the inaugural Sally Goldsworthy Bursary, in memory of the pioneering creative force and CEO of DISCOVER CHILDREN'S STORY CENTRE, who died last year.

The Bursary of £10,000 is to be shared equally between the two innovative artistes, as they both had such breath-taking storytelling imaginations which so impressed Discover.

Matt Hutchinson is a performer, designer, maker and director of puppets and puppetry. His expertise has seen him collaborate with Bjork, theatre companies Out Of Joint and the Unicorn Theatre; the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, Disney Theatrical and TV series including Yonderland and Misfits. Matt is using his bursary to hone his practice alongside industry experts. And Discover have already lined him up to deliver a puppetry workshop for their team of resident Story Builders.

Grace Emily Manning is a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins and is an animator and illustrator. She has already worked as the installation designer of a Pop-up-Festival with Royal Opera House Learning and at the Glastonbury Festival - and did her work experience in the art department of the drama series Downton Abbey. Grace Emily was commissioned by MacMillan Books to make the animated promo for Sita Brahmachari's teen book Red Leaves. Her work has recently moved into model stop-motion animation with her character Pupa - a magical metamorphosis made from sea sponge and dried beancurd! Grace Emily is using her bursary to rent studio space that will be big enough to create her work in!

Dropbox to photos of DISCOVER and MATT HUTCHINSON and GRACE EMILY MANNING - and examples of their work - see dropbox in attached PDF release

Discover's Karla Barnacle-West says: "We are delighted to have found two such worthy recipients of this bursary. They demonstrate an artistic curiosity, imagination, and commitment to creative work for children that absolutely evokes the spirit of Sally. We are looking forward to seeing how Discover's support can help them develop even further."

The Sally Goldsworthy Bursary has been made possible with thanks to the Arts Council and the Graham Rolandson Foundation.

DISCOVER CHILDREN'S STORY CENTRE are delighted that both Matt and Grace Emily will be special guests at the grand re-opening of the venue on the 20 July 2016, when the building unveils its brand new look and their brand new fully immersive exhibition The Fantastic World Of Dr Seuss!