Val Bourne (1938-). British dancer, arts administrator and founder of Dance Umbrella festival

Val Bourne was born in Rangoon in 1938. She trained at The Royal Ballet School and danced for several years with Sadler’s Wells Opera Ballet. She was arts administrator for London Festival Ballet in 1968 and subsequently with Ballet Rambert. In 1978, an auspicious year for dance, she organised the first Dance Umbrella festival, set to become the largest festival of contemporary dance in the world. She remained as artistic director for the next 28 years, in which time a multitude of both British and international performers and choreographers were given countless opportunities to be seen, shine and develop. Described by Bill T. Jones as ‘a force of nature’, Val Bourne has had many awards and honours, not least a CBE, and a Bessie Award.