News from The Crescent Arts Centre

15 March 2026

THE BELFAST REVIEW STAFF

Spring is already buzzing at The Crescent Arts Centre, with new bursaries announced and pre-launch events for Belfast Book Festival coming in the run up to its June debut. We cover the latest below:

NEW HELEN LEWIS BURSARIES FOR DANCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

The Crescent Arts Centre Honours Dance Pioneer Helen Lewis with Legacy Celebration and New Bursaries

The Crescent Arts Centre hosted a special event on 24 January 2026, to honour dancer, choreographer and teacher, Helen Lewis ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27 January. The event also spotlighted The Crescent’s new Helen Lewis Bursaries, small flexible grants designed to support and develop dance talent in Northern Ireland.

Helen Lewis (1916–2009) was a Czech-born dancer, choreographer, teacher and Holocaust survivor who became a central figure in the development of modern dance in Northern Ireland. She founded the Belfast Modern Dance Group in 1962 and later became choreographer-in-residence at The Lyric Theatre. Many of her students went on to develop professional dance careers across Ireland and internationally. A dance studio at The Crescent Arts Centre bears her name, and a blue plaque on the building commemorates her legacy.

In further recognition of her contribution to dance, The Crescent Arts Centre will administer the Helen Lewis Bursaries, designed to support and develop dance talent in Northern Ireland. These small, flexible grants are open to applicants aged over 18 who were born in or are resident in Northern Ireland. Awards of up to £500 aim to help individuals in the dance sector expand their skills, knowledge and professional experience.

In October 2025, The Crescent piloted the programme to test its application and administration processes. Ten bursaries were awarded, supporting recipients’ development, performance attendance, and portfolio costs. The celebration event on 24 January was intended to increase awareness and inspire donations, with The Crescent setting a goal of raising £10,000 by 31 March.

Sophie Hayles, CEO of the Crescent Arts Centre, says:

‘The Bursaries have been shaped by those who knew Helen personally and continue her values. We are proud to work with Philip Johnston, Brenda McKee and Jane Mooney, longstanding members of the dance community, with Philip and Brenda teaching in the Helen Lewis Studio at The Crescent.

The bursaries are intentionally flexible, designed to respond quickly and directly to the real needs of artists via a clear and accessible application process. In recognition of the many roles that make dance possible, applications are open not only to dancers and choreographers, but also to teachers, lighting designers, videographers and others working in the sector.

Donations play a vital role in sustaining this fund and we warmly encourage people […] to learn more about the bursary, and help us continue Helen’s legacy by supporting the next generation of dance talent in Northern Ireland.’

Dancer, choreographer, and Philip Johnston, says:

“Helen Lewis was foundational to the development of modern dance in Northern Ireland. She challenged us to think deeply, move honestly, and create with purpose. The bursary reflects her spirit; it’s responsive, generous and rooted in the real needs of artists. Supporting it means supporting the future of dance here and I would encourage anyone who values this art form to […] learn more and help keep Helen’s legacy moving forward.”

Maiden Voyage Dance Company presented a new short solo piece created especially for the occasion, featuring dancer and bursary recipient Sarah Flavelle performing alongside harpist Ursula Burns.

Attendees also had the opportunity to view artwork by artist Sarah Longley. A former student of Helen Lewis, Sarah exhibited a large charcoal triptych inspired by Ghetto, a poem written by her father, Michael Longley. Both the poem and the artwork reflected on Helen Lewis’s Holocaust experiences and stand as a dedication to Helen and to the members of her family who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

Katie Robb, dancer and recipients of the pilot scheme bursaries, says:

‘The bursary had a significant impact on my artistic development and would not have been possible without the financial support. It enabled me to travel to Lyon, where I experienced a wide range of high-quality performances, including Swan Lake by the British Ballet Festival. Seeing such diverse work expanded my understanding of performance styles and artistic excellence, which has directly influenced my creative goals and career aspirations.

The bursary also allowed me to take open classes in hip hop and contemporary dance, helping me develop new technical skills and versatility as a performer. Meeting new dancers and artists from different backgrounds boosted my confidence and sense of belonging within the wider dance community. Overall, this opportunity greatly supported my personal growth, artistic inspiration, and professional development.’

For more information on the Helen Lewis Bursary and how to donate, please visit: https://crescentarts.org/events/celebrating-the-legacy-of-helen-lewis

PRE-LAUNCH EVENTS FOR THE BELFAST BOOK FESTIVAL

Bookmarks: Belfast Book Festival launches pre-festival event series 

Belfast Book Festival (BBF) is back at The Crescent Arts Centre from 4–11 June and book lovers are encouraged to save the date. The full programme and tickets will officially launch on Monday 20 April 2026. 

Ahead of the main festival, The Crescent have announced Bookmarks: a new spring preview series of literary events. Highlights include TS Eliot Prize-winner Sinéad Morrissey launching her memoir Among Communists on 20 March, Jan Carson presents her new novel Few and Far Between on 7 April and Irish writer Louise Nealon will share her new publication, Everything That Is Beautiful on Wednesday 8 April. 

Festival patron Lucy Caldwell will launch the Belfast Book Festival 2026 programme at a special event on Monday 20 April and share her new short story collection Devotions – eight vital stories connected by memory, love, grief and new beginnings. Lucy will be in conversation with literary journalist Alex Clark with copies of the book available to purchase on the night. 

The concluding events of the Bookmarks series sees broadcaster, TV personality and author Clare Balding discuss their new book, Pastures New on Monday 11 May and a publication launch of the Lives of Saints, the second collection of poems from poet Mícheál McCann on Thursday 14 May. 

Sophie Hayles, CEO of Crescent Arts Centre, said:“Bookmarks is an exciting new way for us to build momentum ahead of this year’s Belfast Book Festival and offers a taste of events that will define the main festival in June. We’re thrilled to welcome such an exceptional line-up of writers to Crescent Arts Centre and to continue offering events on a pay-what-you-decide basis, ensuring these literary experiences are open to all. We can’t wait to reveal the full festival programme in April.”

Now in its 16th year, the festival continues to put Belfast on the international literary map, bringing together leading voices in poetry, fiction and storytelling alongside emerging talent from Northern Ireland and beyond.

The Belfast Book Festival has previously welcomed writers including Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín, Eimear McBride, Margaret Drabble, Sinéad Gleeson, Kevin Barry,  Tessa Hadley and Jacqueline Wilson, alongside many acclaimed poets and emerging local voices. The festival also hosts the Mairtín Crawford Awards, supporting writers working towards their first collection of poetry, short stories or a novel. Submissions are currently open, with winners announced during the festival.

For year round programming and for the Bookmark event series, visit: www.crescentarts.org