Choreographer Jordy Dik nominated for Innovation Award

The nominees for the Innovation Award of the Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht are known! This year, the Innovation Award focuses specifically on makers who (want to) make work for or with people who, due to their mental or physical disability or mental vulnerability, are not so likely to come into contact with dance. From the many entries, a jury consisting of dance and culture professionals ultimately selected three makers: Sharon Wesseling, Marc Vlemmix and ... Jordy Dik. 

On Wednesday 13 March it was announced that Jordy Dik is one of the nominees for the Innovation Award Dutch Dance Days Maastricht 2025. The choreographer, filmmaker and community artist pushes the boundaries of dance and theatre. As co-founder and artistic director of Compagnie Tiuri, Dik travels the country with his unique performers, with and without cognitive impairment. He is also artistic director of Stichting DIK Danstheater, which uses dance and music in large-scale community projects across Europe to help people find their inner freedom.

The jury, who were unanimous in their choice, said of this nomination: 'Driven by a deep-rooted love of (fellow) humanity, he creates encounters where vulnerability and strength merge. His artistic signature is characterised by a raw, poetic and compelling approach, in which dance is not just a form of beauty, but an expression of a deep-seated desire for connection and a celebration of our humanity.'

The Innovatieprijs Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht 2025 is presented every year at the beginning of October during the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala in Theater aan het Vrijthof. For this edition, dance lovers and dance professionals were able to specifically select makers who make or want to make work for people who, due to their mental or physical disability, mental vulnerability or other reasons, are less likely to come into contact with dance. The winner of the award will be able to use the €25,000 cash prize as part of a new production with a premiere or presentation during Nederlandse Dansdagen 2026.

The jury consists of André Grekhov, Wies Bloemen, Gaia Gonnelli, Ulrika Kinn Svensson and new member Frans Bastiaens (councillor for culture of the city of Maastricht).