Actor wins bursary while local grants are offered

Pretty Beach actor Ms Imogen Sage has been awarded a Laurence Olivier Bursary by the Society of London Theatre.

Bouddi Arts Foundation chairman Mr John Bell said Imogen's achievement was "a matter of great pride for the Central Coast".

Imogen, a third-year student at the London School of Speech and Drama, joins previous recipients of the Olivier Bursary such as Ewen McGregor and Michael Sheen.

"Imogen was the first young artist from the Central Coast to be awarded a grant by the Bouddi Arts Foundation and in some ways inspired the establishment of the foundation," said Mr Bell.

"Like Imogen Sage there are many fine young artists in our community with wonderful talents who deserve our support," he said.

The Bouddi Arts Foundation is offering grants of up to $5000 to help them develop those talents.

"We are looking for artists from 15 to 25-years-old who are engaged in music, the performing arts, literature or the visual arts," said Mr Bell.

"I know how important it is for artists to get encouragement and support at a young age.

"The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts has been established to do this.

"We are excited at the opportunity we have to help these young people and build on the rich culture of our community.

"Last year we provided grants to another five outstanding young artists: a classical musician; a writer, a film maker, a painter and a singer songwriter."

Applications for grants are available from the Bouddi Arts Foundation, PO Box 4081, Wagstaffe, NSW, 2257.

The Bouddi Arts Foundation was established by the Bouddi Society, a non-profit organisation centred on the Bouddi Peninsula.

Media release, 19 Aug 2013

Phil Donnelly, Bouddi Society