2026 Nominations Closed· Reopening Early 2027
The Imogen Kinchin
Fellowship
A funded leadership fellowship built to accelerate brilliant doers to become decision‑makers and launch the next generation of cultural leaders in the performing arts.
Announcement
Meet our inaugural Fellows.
Eight emerging cultural leaders have been selected for the first Imogen Kinchin Fellowship cohort — supported by mentors from across theatre, dance and the commercial and subsidised sectors. Read their stories, and sign up to hear when nominations open for the next cohort.
Get notified when nominations open for 2027
The Fellowship
A fellowship for the performing arts leaders of the future.
A year-long programme supporting 6–8 emerging cultural leaders. Each fellow receives:
- a £3,000 financial award to invest in their leadership development
- a dedicated sector-specific mentor for one-to-one guidance
- access to our cross-sector mentor network through quarterly dinners where they connect with leaders across the arts
Throughout the year, the cohort meets collectively to share experiences and support one another – creating a peer community for connection, confidence, and practical support as ambition grows.
The fellowship is built in the spirit of Imogen – who died of bowel cancer on World Theatre Day, 27 March 2024, aged 44 – an Executive Director and Producer who broke ceilings, then helped others break their own.
Imogen Kinchin 1979–2024
Our Spirit
Empowerment, not gatekeeping.
Helping people believe in themselves enough to work out where they want to go next and take the first step.
Cross-sector connection.
Bringing people together across disciplines and seniority levels.
Access and fairness.
Championing leaders who have not come through traditional routes.
A two-way conversation.
Not "senior people telling junior people how it's done" – but an exchange about the evolving needs of leadership and what future leaders need from the sector.
Our Partners
The Fellowship is made possible by a group of brilliant organisations who shaped Imogen's career — Theatre Royal Plymouth, New Adventures, Playful Productions, National Theatre, Half Moon Young People's Theatre, and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre — alongside our host venue, Bourne & Hollingsworth.
The Cohort
6–8 emerging cultural leaders, selected each year.
Commencing in September 2026, we will support 6 to 8 emerging cultural leaders each year, with no lower or upper age limit.
The intention is to reflect the breadth of Imogen's career, aiming for representation in the first cohort from the following regions, genres and disciplines:
- South West – Imogen was born and grew up around Plymouth. She started her career at Theatre Royal Plymouth and later returned to serve as a Trustee.
- Young People's Theatre – early in her career she joined the producing team at Half Moon Young People's Theatre.
- Fringe – she was a Producer and later Board member for nabokov.
- West End / commercial producing – she was a Producer at Act Productions and later Playful Productions.
- Subsidised theatre – she was Senior Producer at Lyric Hammersmith leading on new plays, classic revivals and musicals.
- Dance – she was a long serving trustee before becoming Executive Director for New Adventures.
- A practising artist in theatre or dance – she championed artists throughout her career.
Fellows Receive
Fellowship Awards
£3,000 per person to support leadership development and practice; without restriction but with intention of improving skillset and opportunities.
A primary sector-specific mentor
One-to-one support.
Access to the wider mentor network
Cross-sector guidance and introductions.
A peer cohort
Mutual support, accountability, connection.
Alongside individual mentor meetings, the group will meet collectively up to 3 times in the year as a cohort and with mentors present to share, discuss and support in a safe and informal setting.
Mentor Network
Drawn from Imogen's network, spanning the cultural sector.
Programme Timeline
September 2026
Programme 1 Begins
March 2027
Nominations Open
May 2027
Nominations Close
May 2027
Nominees Invited to Apply
June 2027
Application Deadline
June–July 2027
Online Interviews
September 2027
Fellows Announced
September 2027
Programme 1 Ends / Programme 2 Begins
Nominate a Fellow
Know someone who would be a brilliant Fellow?
We're seeking extraordinary emerging cultural leaders who are ready to step into leadership roles across the performing arts sector.
Who We're Looking For
- Brilliant doers ready to become decision-makers
- Currently in mid-career roles across theatre, dance, young people's work, fringe, subsidised, commercial or independent practice
- Demonstrable commitment to cross-sector thinking and collaboration
- Clear ambition to lead with integrity and vision
Nominations for the 2026 cohort are now closed. We expect to reopen nominations in early 2027.
Sign up to be notified when nominations for 2027 open.