VSCD Dance Awards - The Swans

The Dance Awards of the VSCD (the Association of Theatres and Concert Halls Directors) have been associated with the Dutch Dance Days since 2003 and are presented during the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala. A festive evening that officially opens the festival.

Since the jubilee edition of Nederlandse Dansdagen in 2022, this festive evening will be enhanced with the presentation of the Young Swans for dance productions for young audiences. The Young Swans were created on the initiative of the entire field of youth dance, in recognition of the quality and innovative capacity of youth dance. 

All nominated companies, choreographers and dancers have delivered exceptional artistic quality, according to the juries.

The Dutch Dance Jury determines the nominees and winners of the VSCD Dance Awards. The Youth Dance Jury has been judging dance performances for young audiences, from 2 to 18 years old, since 2021.

The dance Jury of the Swans 2024-2025 consisted of:

• Joery Wilbers (president), manager Rozet culture centre Arnhem and former director De Domijnen Sittard
• John Agesilas, co-artistic director Summer Dance Forever and Foundation Amsterdam Hiphop Center, teacher AHK
• Wendy Lubberding, dance and theatre critic
• Mitchell-Lee van Rooij, former dancer and marketer Korzo
• Julie Vegter, dance programmer Vondelpark Open Air Theatre and editorial board Julidans
• Dave Schwab, head of programming and dramaturge Theater Rotterdam 
• Lynn Bartels, programmer and artistic core teacher of dance theatre de Meervaart

The Swans are made possible by the Vriendenloterij.