Arts Award winners 2026

As a collaboration between artsUCL and Slade School of Art, Billy & Co. was an original piece of writing that experimented between the lines of fine art and theatre.

Billy & Co. focused on experience of being autistic, subtly showing to the audience the neurodivergent mind. To further inclusivity, an audio described script was also prepared to support visually impaired audience members.

Ronan has made exceptional contributions to music and performance throughout his time at UCL, becoming a central figure across Musical Theatre, Live Music and Jazz Society.

Ronan has consistently contributed to productions, including Shrek: The Musical, Rhapsody 2025, Synthposium, and numerous Jazz Society performances. As Musical Director, he has shown leadership and commitment, supporting both performers and production teams through rehearsal and performance processes. His work on Shrek helped deliver three sold-out performances at the Bloomsbury Theatre, while his conducting and arranging work for Rhapsody 2025 showcase showed huge amounts of creativity and skill.

In the funky, soul-filled world of 1970s Philadelphia, struggling singer Deloris witnesses a crime. Placed in a convent under witness protection – complete with quirky nuns, gangsters on her trail, and zero idea of how to behave, Deloris quickly discovers a new purpose as she transforms the tone-deaf convent choir into a renowned show-stopping gospel sensation that’s truly second to nun. 

This high-energy production brought big laughs, bigger voices and a pack of dancing nuns in an ultimate feel-good, holy rollercoaster of a musical. Well done to Sister Act!

Presented by UCL Live Music Society, this all-standing, high-energy experience brought dazzling costumes, rich harmonies, and a space where queer joy reigned supreme. Whether you were belting every lyric or dancing with strangers-turned-besties, this was not just a Studio show - it was a party, with the best vocalists and musicians Live Music Society has to offer.

Designing Spamalot was a challenge from the beginning; it required a huge castle with multiple levels, numerous costume changes, and large, moving set pieces that came on and off the stage. The key to the design's success was collaboration; starting months in advance, the team worked together to create the camp, bright, and comical energy that is central to Spamalot!  The process wasn’t without challenges, but they problem solved together to create a visually impressive project.

Next to Normal dealt with themes of mental health, grief, and trauma with empathy and sensitivity.  Through design, performance, and sound, the emotional complexity of the piece was clearly and carefully conveyed. The production embraced the rock musical form by placing the band on stage, integrating them into the storytelling. Costume design carefully tracked character psychology, a rostrum doubled as both bedroom and band space, and a table transformed into a hospital bed, allowing for fluid storytelling. Lighting design was also vital in the reshaping of these spaces; from intimate domestic settings to hospital rooms.

Dance Society has significantly strengthened its commitment to accessibility, diversity and inclusion in 2025/26 through new leadership roles and inclusive programming.

This year, for example, they introduced the role of Diversity and Inclusion Officer to lead initiatives and support underrepresented groups, working on campaigns such as BSL dance workshops. A major success has been the “Absolute Beginners” classes, offering free or low-cost weekly sessions for newcomers with no dance experience. These have proven highly effective with over 300 tickets sold. These sessions have improved the confidence levels among attendees, with many of them progressing into regular classes.

Dance Society offers a strong programme of volunteering and charity work that connects members with local community impact and wider fundraising efforts.

A key initiative is DanceIt!, a weekly student-led volunteering project at Holborn Community Association, where members teach inclusive beginner dance classes to adults aged 55+. The sessions support both physical and mental wellbeing and are carefully adapted to include participants with a range of access needs, including dementia, visual impairments, and mobility differences. The project also helps student volunteers develop skills in inclusive teaching and disability awareness. This year, engagement has grown significantly, with higher attendance from seniors and increased student volunteering, supported by funding that also enabled participants to attend a Dance Society performance.

You don't often see a jazz band and a running club teaming up, but Jazz Society and Running, Athletics, and Cross-Country Club pulled it off for this Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) fundraiser.

The scale of the event was huge, bringing the full UCL Big Band and Jazz Choir into one of the main campus rooms for a massive inter-society social and fundraiser; different groups came together to support an amazing cause. This ambitious event created a unique and exciting buzz around campus, bridging the gap between the arts and sports.

Stage Crew has worked harder than ever this year to transform the experiences of students at UCL. This year, the society has helped build bigger sets, rig more ambitious lighting and sound rigs and in general take the productions this year to a whole new level.

Alongside their amazing support on productions, Stage Crew have worked hard on developing their training offer, making it easier for new members and to create an even more sustainable and accessible society.