Jazzart College of Performing Arts is proud to announce that Dr Sheridan Nicol, Director of Jazzart and Founder of the Jazzart Charitable Trust, has been named Local Arts Hero. The award was presented on 4 February at Dundee Rep by acclaimed theatre director and Jazzart alumnus Andrew Panton.
This recognition celebrates Dr Nicol’s 30 years of visionary leadership, during which she has dedicated herself to nurturing young talent from across The Shire and beyond. Through the Jazzart Charitable Trust, she has supported generations of emerging performers, creatives, and arts leaders, ensuring that young people with passion and potential have access to world‑class training and life‑changing opportunities.
Under her direction, Jazzart has become a cornerstone of performing arts education in Scotland — a place where students are challenged, inspired, and empowered to pursue careers on stage, behind the scenes, and across the creative industries.
Looking Ahead: A New Creative Chapter for 2026
The summer of 2026 will mark an exciting evolution for the Jazzart Charitable Trust as it shifts its focus toward the development of a new summer musical, created specifically for young actors and creatives. This initiative will offer emerging talent the chance to collaborate on a full-scale original production, providing hands‑on experience in performance, choreography, design, writing, and technical theatre. It represents the next step in Dr Nicol’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people and championing new creative voices.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Nicol expressed her gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the privilege of watching young artists grow into confident, capable professionals. The award was made even more meaningful by being presented by Andrew Panton, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep and a former Jazzart student whose own career exemplifies the impact of her mentorship and training provided at Jazzart.
Jazzart College of Performing Arts and the wider community celebrate this milestone with immense pride. Dr Nicol’s commitment, compassion, and unwavering belief in young people continue to shape the cultural landscape of Scotland and inspire the next generation of performers.
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