Helen Parlor was a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director who worked around the world, with her base in Milton Keynes. She was driven by creating and sharing high quality dance, by supporting new dancers to start their creative journey, and ensuring dance was at the top of the agenda for her city.

In Helen's honour, a new dance bursary is being established; the Helen Parlor Dance Bursary. This bursary has been pump-primed by Milton Keynes City Council and MK Community Foundation will both administer the fund and match every donation made £1 for £1.

Through the money raised, an endowment fund is being created to support dance into the long term.

Marie McCluskey MBE, artistic director of Swindon Dance 1979-2016 said of Helen:

You are invited to be part of Helen's legacy by making a donation to the Helen Parlor Dance Bursary.

The Bursary

Applications will be invited from Spring 2024 and you can sign up here for updates: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJluDnIWUP7TxMGAlLJxR2omJRVc-dZbUrcGn5Dy9D_69K6g/viewform

The bursary will be open to anyone living or working in Milton Keynes. Priority will be given to those who live and work in the city but applications will also be considered from individuals proposing to work or perform in MK.

It is anticipated that funding rounds will be open and unthemed but on occasion, they may be linked to significant city celebrations i.e. hosting of a world-class sporting activity, celebrating a city achievement (such as MK’s birthday or a city-wide status).

Applicants could be dancers or choreographers of any age or background. The scoring of the bursary submissions will be as follows:

1. Live in MK

2. Works in MK

3. Can demonstrate a progression in their dance career

4. Has performed etc outside of Milton Keynes