The EYoung Talent Fund has officially expanded to St. Maarten and awarded its first local financial contribution to young dancer Shanelle Kemoya Bucknor.
Bucknor, a talented student at the National Institute of Arts, has been accepted into the internationally renowned Alvin Ailey School in New York, one of the world’s leading institutions for professional dance training.
The EYoung Talent Fund was established in Curaçao in 2017 by EY Dutch Caribbean and is managed by the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied. The fund supports exceptional young talent in the fields of arts, culture, science, and sports.
Since January 2026, the fund has also been available to young talent on St. Maarten.
During a recent founding session on the island, Bucknor shared her gratitude and gave a special performance, while her teacher, Arlene Halley, spoke about the importance of investing in local talent.
Organizers say the support represents more than a financial contribution. It is an investment in ambition, creativity, and the future of St. Maarten’s artistic community.