Innovation Award Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht

More about the award

In 2022, Nederlandse Dansdagen merged the then two festival prizes (Prijs van de Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht and Prijs van de Nederlandse Dansdagen Jong Publiek) into one incentive prize, the Innovation Prize Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht. The prize highlights current developments and exceptional talent. 

This incentive prize provides a sum of €25,000, supported by the Municipality of Maastricht, to give the winner more clout in producing their ideas. The new work or creation will be presented for the first time during the following edition of the Nederlandse Dansdagen. 

Nominations for the award are submitted by dance enthusiasts and dance professionals through a general call. From 8 January 2024, it will again be possible to nominate creators for this prize.

A jury will ultimately nominate three makers from the entries who will pitch their idea for a new performance. The choreographer with the best, most innovative idea will go home with the prize and can get to work creating a new work. Leading up to the premiere moment during Dutch Dance Days 2025, the winning creator will also receive a spot at the festivals schrit_tmacher and The Notorious IBE

The Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht Innovation Award jury consists of:

• Helmy Koolen, manager Economie en Cultuur at Municipality of Maastricht
• André Grekhov, art director at Stichting Sample Culture & Emoves
• Wies Bloemen, art director & choreographer at Danstheater AYA
• Gaia Gonnelli, art director at Dadodans
• Ulrika Kinn Svensson, art director Dance Arts in Context/ Fontys Academy of the Arts