De Châtel Award
Since 2001, the Imperium Foundation has (irregularly) awarded a prize to people who have added unique value to the dance world. Imperium reshaped the award in 2018, under the name De Châtel Award. During Het Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala 2018, the De Châtel Award was presented for the first time. In 2025 Courtney May Robertson receives the prize.
Uit het jury rapport
Krisztina de Châtel admired Courtney May Robertson (Scotland, 1992). In her solos she recognized pure dance power and, as she always said, ‘the madness’ of an artist who consciously seeks out boundaries and crosses them. It is the same ‘madness’ that is kept in check, given shape and seeking release by uncompromising movement; literally and figuratively exciting. The audience has no choice but to surrender to Robertson's multidisciplinary adventures. After seeing The pleasure of stepping off a horse when it’s moving at full speed (2020), Krisztina already wanted to give her the Award. Things turned out differently. Krisztina became ill and passed away last June. With the presentation of the De Châtel Award to Robertson, her wish has finally come true.
Stichting Imperium
Photography: Leroy Verbeet
More about the award
Since 2001, the Imperium Foundation has (irregularly) awarded a prize. Initially it was the Mirjam Bos Prize (in honor of this choreographer who died too soon), for people who provided unique added value to the dance world. Later, the prize became known as ITs Krisztina de Châtel Award for the best graduate choreographer from a Dutch dance school. Imperium reshaped the award in 2018, under the name De Châtel Award. During Het Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala 2018, the De Châtel Award was presented for the first time.
Prize winners
2025 Courtney May Robertson
2018 Florentina Holzinger