Arts professionals recognised in New Year honours

David Bintley, former Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, and classical music broadcaster Humphrey Burton are among the arts professionals recognised in this year’s New Year honours.

Both Bintley and Burton received knighthoods in recognition of their work. Playwright Christopher Hampton, theatre and film director Sam Mendes, and film director Steve McQueen were also knighted, while ceramicist Magdalene Odundo and writer Rose Tremain were made dames.

The highest recognition went to musician Sir Elton John, who was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour. This title is held by the sovereign and a maximum of 65 people at any one time. Other members of the order include Arts Council England Chair Sir Nicholas Serota, actor Dame Judi Dench and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.

Dance professionals recognised

There was a strong showing for dance professionals among the other honours awarded. CBEs were awarded to choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh and choreographer and director Stephen Mear. Mirella Bartrip, former Director of Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, received an OBE, as did choreographer Kate Flatt.

Other cultural administrators receiving CBEs were Joanna Baker, former Managing Director of Edinburgh International Festival, Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Kevin Fewster, former Director of Royal Museums Greenwich.

This honour was also received by actor Rudolph Walker and composer Errollyn Wallen, the first black woman to have a work performed at the proms.

Creative artists awarded OBEs included visual artist David Shrigley and the disabled dancer David Toole. In reference to the award, Toole tweeted: “Just so we all know. Having an OBE does not make me a Sir. The number of people that think it does is incredible. I’m just Dave, grumpy old Dave.”

State school support

Arts professionals receiving MBEs included Mark Everett, former Director of Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and the former Joint Artistic Directors of Paines Plough, James Grieve and George Perrin.

Kanneh-Mason said he was “absolutely thrilled” with the award, in a statement posted from his Twitter account: “I was so lucky to have the dedicated support of my parents in giving me the opportunity to have specialist music lessons… I also had incredible support from the state schools I attended in Nottingham”.

He added that “the love and enjoyment for this great art is something that should be available to everyone, regardless of background” and said he would continue his work with charities to help all young people access music.

Former BBC executive and ArtsProfessional contributor Jane Ellison was among those recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM), an honour awarded for “a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community”. Ellison is a trustee of Libraries Connected and holds several other advisory roles in the cultural sector.

New Year honours for arts professionals

Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour

Musician Sir Elton John

Dames and Knighthoods

Ceramicist Magdalene Odundo
Writer Rose Tremain
David Bintley, former Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Classical music broadcaster and producer Humphrey Burton
Playwright Christopher Hampton
Theatre and film director Sam Mendes
Film director Steve McQueen

CBEs

Joanna Baker, former Managing Director of Edinburgh International Festival and Chair of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
Actress Wendy Craig
Kevin Fewster, former Director of Royal Museums Greenwich
Shobana Jeyasingh, choreographer and founder of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance
Screenwriter and film director Steven Knight
Choreographer and director Stephen Mear
Actor Rudolph Walker
Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of London Philharmonic Orchestra
Composer Errollyn Wallen

OBEs

Mirella Bartrip, former Director of Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Maureen Beattie, actor and President of Equity
Composer and singer Judith Bingham
Helga Louise Edström, Senior Policy Adviser at DCMS
Ann Gallagher, former Director of Collection, British art at Tate
Playwright James Graham
Lesley Knox, former Chair, V&A Dundee
Choreographer Kate Flatt
Musician Gary Lightbody
Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee
Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Arts
Artist David Shrigley
Musician Roger Taylor
Dancer David Toole

MBEs

Joanna Abeyie, for services to diversity in the media and creative industries
David Alston, former Arts Director at the Arts Council of Wales
Artist Robert Boyd
Thomas Brown, Pipe Band Drummer and Instructor, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band
Author David Burns
Singer Billy Ocean
Musician David Delargy
Mark Everett, former Director, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, Kent
Playwright and actor Natasha Gordon
James Grieve, former Joint Artistic Director, Paines Plough. For services to Theatre
Activist Roger Griffith
Actor Derek Griffiths
Composer Helen Grime
Toni Johnson, for services to the arts and the community in County Fermanagh
Author Dreda Say Mitchell
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Charlie Kennard, Co-Founder and Principal, East London Arts and Music
Richard Kerslake, for services to education and the arts in the London Borough of Sutton
Jean Leonard, for services to music and the community in Orkney
Arts producer and consultant Elizabeth Lynch
Musician Martin O'Hagan
Musician Eugene O'Hagan
Judith Palmer For services to Dance
George Perrin, former Joint Artistic Director, Paines Plough
Kathleen Picken, Music Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway Council
Singer Mike Pender
Marilyn Scott, Director, The Lightbox, Woking, Surrey
Design collector Ken Stradling
Cellist David Strange
Actor and musician Giles Terera
Roy Alexander Weise, Joint Artistic Director, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Mat Wright, Artistic Director, Barnsley Youth Choir