The Arts Foundation announce the four Shortlisted Artists of the Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2026 for Theatre.
The Theatre Award champions visionary theatre directors developing extraordinary theatrical productions across any genre. Meet the Shortlist:
Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu is a British-Ghanaian theatremaker whose work stretches the imagination of his audiences with his unique brand of storytelling. He was nominated for an Olivier in 2022 for his work on For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron.
Annie Kershaw is a Theatre Director who strives to make striking, innovative and accessible theatre. She is often drawn to stories that are led by queer and/or female characters. Her approach to making theatre is highly sensory and instinct-driven, often focused on drawing out moments of symbolism.
Craig McCorquodale is a director based in Glasgow, pushing theatre into public space and public space back into the theatre. Often working with local people rather than actors, his projects ask us to look more closely at the people we share our streets with.
Hannah is a theatre and opera director whose work spans intimate new studio plays to large-scale opera. Her practice is rooted in building work collaboratively, finding and holding onto authenticity through discovery with performers and communities.
With thanks to our independent Jury members: Toisin Cole, Actor; Rufus Norris, Director; and Francesca Moody, Executive Producer, Francesca Moody Productions, who said:
“It’s been a real privilege to join the jury for the Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2026 for Theatre. All of the shortlisted artists had such a strong sense of self, distinctive aesthetic and artistic integrity. What’s striking about all the practitioners is their determination to make their mark, by hook or by crook. In this challenging funding climate, in both the public and commercial sectors, awards like this are so necessary to support those operating at a high artistic level, who know what they need to do to take their creative practice further, but unfortunately, do not have the means to do so.”
The Arts Foundation has a long history of supporting theatre and the performing arts, and Mary Jane Edwards, Director of The Arts Foundation says:
“The four shortlisted artists reflect the exceptional quality and vitality of theatre directing in the UK. Each director brings a distinctive and personal vision to their work, shaping performances that speak compellingly to contemporary audiences. We are delighted to support their artistic development at such a pivotal early stage in their careers.”
The winning Fellow, receiving £20,000, will be revealed at an Award Ceremony on 2 February 2026, with all Shortlisted Artists awarded £1,000 towards their artistic practice.
The Arts Foundation is a registered charity that supports individual artists and creatives in the UK with unconditional financial Fellowships of £20,000 through the Arts Foundation Futures Awards. Since it was founded in 1993, the Arts Foundation has awarded over £2 million to the most promising artists in the UK at a pivotal moment in their careers to enable them to concentrate on their creative development, experiment, and realise their artistic potential.