Unveiling the Vital Spark Artists 2023/24

We’re delighted to announce the nine incredible artists who make up this year’s Vital Spark artist cohort. Eight artists, from across England and Ireland will go on a six-month development journey of masterclasses, coaching, and mentoring in the Artist Relationship Programme, which kicks off in October with a Go and See trip to Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. Alongside this, four artists will explore and develop brand-new ideas for shows for young audiences though the Ideas Fund. All this will culminate in the Vital Spark Symposium – a two-day event in March 2024 in Leicester.

Vital Spark is presented by The Spark Arts for Children and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland. Baboró is proud to support all eight Relationship Programme participants and Ireland-based Ideas Fund recipient Justyna Cwojdzinska.

Vital Spark Artists 2023/24

This year’s Vital Spark Artists include:

  • Debora Naomi Adachi, a Dublin based illustrator, children’s author and art facilitator (Relationship Programme).
  • Tanya Akrofi, a Lincoln-based writer and storyteller, heavily influenced by folklore and fairytales. (Relationship Programme & Ideas Fund)
  • Sarah Blanc, a London-based dancer, choreographer, movement director and artistic director. (Ideas Fund)
  • Justyna Cwojdzinska, a Limerick theatre practitioner, voice-over artist and arts festival founder. (Relationship Programme and Ideas Fund)
  • Alexandra Gogan, a Dublin-based writer and co-founder of an independent theatre company. (relationship programme)
  • Sarah Kolawole, a Nottingham-based playwright and spoken word artist. (Relationship Programme)
  • Lewis Major, a Leicester-based choreographer, artistic director and creative entrepreneur. (Relationship Programme and Ideas Fund)
  • HK Ní Shioradáin, a Dublin based composer, poet, lyricist and sound designer. (Relationship Programme)
  • Tandeka Williams, a Derby based emerging Creative producer, Youth practitioner and Director of Mashup Derby. (Relationship Programme)

Meet the Artists

Debora Adachi (Relationship Programme)

Tanya Akrofi (Relationship Programme & Ideas Fund)

Sarah Blanc (Ideas Fund)

Justyna Cwojdzinska (Relationship Programme & Ideas Fund)

Alexandra Gogan (Relationship Programme)

Sarah ‘Rain’ Kolawole (Relationship Programme)

Lewis Major (Relationship Programme & Ideas Fund)

HK Ní Shioradáin (Relationship Programme)

Tandeka Williams (Relationship Programme)