The Jane Attenborough Award 2026 goes to...

Clare Connor, Chief Executive of The Place, has been awarded the prestigious Jane Attenborough Award at the 2026 One Dance UK Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the dance sector and her enduring commitment to widening access, education and opportunity.

The award celebrates individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on dance, reflecting the spirit and legacy of Jane Attenborough. Clare was honoured for her visionary leadership, her championing of inclusion, and her transformative influence across organisations, education and the wider cultural landscape.

Since her appointment in 2017, Clare has driven a bold ten-year vision for “a world with more dance.” Under her direction, The Place has strengthened its position as a global leader in contemporary dance, uniquely integrating education, research, training and artist development within a dynamic creative ecology. Home to the world-leading London Contemporary Dance School, alongside a vibrant theatre programme and an extensive national touring network, The Place continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing artists and creating new work, guided by a culture of innovation, experimentation and cultural activism.

Under Clare’s leadership, London Contemporary Dance School achieved independent Higher Education Provider status and recognition as a world-leading specialist institution, further cementing its global reputation for pioneering dance education.

Clare also expanded The Place’s artistic reach, developing collaborative models for producing, presenting and touring independent artists, with a strong emphasis on audience engagement and accessibility. Touring initiatives now extend beyond traditional venues to rural communities, outdoor festivals and local settings, reinforcing a commitment to meaningful and inclusive access and participation.

Clare’s influence extends well beyond The Place. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, she has helped shape major cultural institutions including the Southbank Centre and Stratford Circus Arts Centre. She has also contributed significantly to national initiatives such as Future Arts Centres and has recently been a vocal advocate to safeguard funding for the Centres for Advanced Training, one of the most accessible pathways into professional dance for young people.

Accepting the award, Clare reflected on the significance of returning to the institution where her own journey began, and paid tribute to the people who shaped her journey:

“Thank you so much. I am deeply moved to receive the One Dance UK Jane Attenborough Award. My sincere thanks to the panel, to all the nominees this evening, to my brilliant staff team, students, artists and participants at The Place, and a special thank you to Sharon Watson, who was part of the governance panel that appointed me to my current role in 2017. It is a great honour and a privilege to be of service to — and through — dance, at the very place where I once studied. A place where I learned how to learn, and to love learning."

She reflected on meeting Jane Attenborough early in her career while teaching in East London.

“In my mid-twenties, I had the great fortune of meeting Jane Attenborough while I was teaching at Newham Sixth Form College. I remember the then Vice Principal, Jennifer Simms, telling me, ‘Clare, we are going to win an award’— and thinking that’s not quite how these things work.

But Jennifer understood the power of vision and persistence. In the end, we didn’t win one award, but three, over two years; two of them presented by Jane, who was then representing the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

I went on to build a relationship with her, so to now be connected to her legacy feels incredibly meaningful. I am truly grateful to One Dance UK for this honour.”

In a moving tribute, Connor dedicated the award to her former dance teacher, Stephanie Nihill, and reflected on the transformative power of dance in her own life.

“Dance was my passport to social mobility,” she said. “It validated my identity, gave me confidence, and led me to my tribe.”

Looking ahead, she called for unity and ambition across the sector, urging colleagues to work collectively towards a bold, inclusive future. “My hope is that our sector continues to come together with generosity, courage and care—and that we co-create a manifesto for dance, and a National Sector Plan that reflects the diversity and ambition of our field.”

Clare’s leadership has been widely recognised across the cultural sector. In 2024, she received the Freedom of the City of London for her contribution to London’s arts ecosystem, she sits on the boards of Sadler’s Wells and GuildHE and has recently been invited to join the new Office for Students (OfS) Provider Panel, helping to shape the future of regulation across the sector.

Through her work in education, touring and national advocacy, Clare continues to champion a future in which dance is inclusive, accessible and transformative for generations to come.

Dollie Henry MBE, Founder/Artistic Director of BOP Jazz Theatre Company UK, who was on the award panel this year says:

“I could not be more delighted for Clare in receiving this wonderful accolade from One Dance UK — so rightly deserved.

Clare serves as a beacon of light for dance and education in the UK, but it is her consistency, advocacy, and forward-thinking approach to the arts that truly sets her apart. Beyond her professional achievements, Clare leads with a generosity of spirit that makes everyone around her feel seen, valued, and inspired. It is fair to say that it is through Clare's vision, her willingness to explore beyond the norm and champion all genres of dance, that she is not only a true ally, but someone who believes wholeheartedly that the arts are for everyone. I have no doubt that her influence will continue to shape and inspire the next generation of dance artists and leaders across the UK and beyond.

The Jane Attenborough Award is a true reflection of the difference one person can make, and Clare, you deserve every bit of this recognition.”

Brendan Keaney OBE, former artistic director and chief executive of DanceEast, and a previous recipient of the Jane Attenborough Award says:

“Clare is an exceptional leader; consequently, I was delighted to see her achievements recognised by this award. The endorsement of one’s peers makes the Jane Attenborough Award particularly special, as does the fact that it reminds us of Jane’s amazing contribution to dance. Having Clare join the cohort of award winners raises the bar to another level, she is going to be a particularly tough act to follow!”