Help has been offered to several local students who are currently immersed in their educational careers.

The charity Arts Aid has announced the talented students who have given awards as part of their 2021 scholarship.

Nine students in all will recieve awards, with seven of the recipients attending arts education programmes at some of Britain’s most prestigious arts colleges, while two are completing their final year at high school.

Among the students to be award are Christian Cooper, who is set to begin his second year of a BA in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, and Amy Convery, who will start at a three year Diploma in musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom.

Alicia Schofield also starts her second year studying dance at SLP College in Leeds and Alexandra Slater is currently studying at the London School of Musical Theatre.

International award-winning pianist Annabel King will continue studying her A-Levels at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, Joshua Morrison begins a degree course at the famous Rambert school of dance in London and actor Gracel Delos Santos is taking a Foundation Course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

This year, awards have also been made to Ballakermeen High School sixth formers, Alicia Kewley and Paulina Kudzydlow.

’Once again Arts Aid has been immensely fortunate to receive applications from an outstanding group of highly talented and ambitious young Isle of Man arts students,’ said Arts Aid chairman David Wertheim.

’The last eighteen months have been extremely challenging for everyone as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but especially so for those in or aspiring to careers in the arts.

’Our award recipients remain undaunted and we wish them every success both in their forthcoming studies and beyond when they come to make their way in the creative arts world.’