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Akeim Toussaint Buck (Dance Theatre, 2023)Photo by BrianHartley

Akeim Toussaint Buck's Testimonial

This transformation changes my practice and outlook, there is a confidence that comes from my yearning to experiment and push beyond what I have known or done before.

… In terms of personal life and practice, I felt I could really take some time to look at how I was doing, being an artist and a parent. Creating more space to simply be and I found this positively affected my creativity and well-being. This is an ongoing journey still and I hope to find a balance or peace with it. Being able to take time off and take stock in reflecting on the experience you are having in life, supports being able to shift gears for a life more aligned with who you are.

Gaining the Arts Foundation Fellowship Award was surreal and genuinely unexpected. In my mind, I have thought of more logical reasons than the fact of the quality of my work being the reason for this award. Then I remember the work I have done has really made some sort of impact in theatre and dance, so just having awareness of the space one inhabits is a transformation. That transformation changes my practice and outlook, there is a confidence that comes from my yearning to experiment and push beyond what I have known or done before. How else can I tell this story in a way that not only ignites audiences, but it changes me as an artist and person? This is more the direction I will be going in, in the future and I’m grateful this award supported me in shifting or opening my mindset as an artist.