What is the Rose Prize?

The performing arts have long been celebrated through prestigious awards like the Olivier Awards for actors, the Turner Prize for artists, and the Booker Prize for writers. These prestigious honors not only bring recognition to established and emerging talents but also help elevate their respective art forms. Although the world of dance has been recognized through awards like Britain’s Critics’ Circle Award and Dance Magazine’s annual artist spotlight, the world of choreography has been missing a large-scale, internationally recognized dance prize. Now, Sadler’s Wells has founded an award designed to bring international recognition to the dynamic art of choreography: The Rose International Dance Prize.

Marquee TV was the proud official media partner of the first annual Rose Prize. As part of the collaboration, Marquee TV has co-produced an exciting documentary premiering in late March, Inside the Rose International Dance Prize, following the nominees for the Rose Prize through the competition.

What is the Rose International Dance Prize?

 

The Rose International Dance Prize is a new award, from London’s iconic Sadler’s Wells Theatre, that celebrates original choreographic creations from across the globe, welcoming works of any style. The award aims to “spread the word about dance” by giving it the recognition and prestige it deserves. Artistic director of Sadler’s Wells, Alistair Spalding notes, “Prizes like the Booker, Oliviers, and Turner have all managed to attract media and public attention, raising the profile of their respective art forms. It is our intention to create a similar prize for dance, which does not currently exist at a comparable scale or stature.”

The Rose Prize is divided into two categories:

• The Rose Prize: For established choreographers presenting a full-length work of 60 minutes or longer.
• The Bloom Prize: For emerging choreographers with a maximum of ten years of experience.

Who Created the Rose Prize?

The Rose International Dance Prize was established by Sadler’s Wells, one of London’s most esteemed dance institutions, in 2025 thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor. The benefactor, who chose the name The Rose Prize, has committed to funding the award for at least 10 iterations over 20 years.

With this level of support, the Rose Prize is positioned to become as significant as the Oscars, Booker Prize, or Turner Prize, providing a lasting impact on the global choreographic community. The prize was created to honor and elevate the art of choreography, providing a much-needed platform for innovation and excellence in dance.

How does the Rose Prize work?

The world of choreography is rich, diverse, and far-reaching. Choreographers from every corner of the world create unique works that blend their personal and cultural experiences into moving dance pieces. Not wanting to leave any stone unturned, the founders of the Rose Prize have established a meticulous selection process designed to recognize this global talent pool fairly.

The process is as follows:

• The prize is held every other year.
• 14 nominators, including artists, producers, presenters, and writers, scout dance talent across seven global regions.
• Each nominator submits recommendations, culminating in a long list of 42 works.
• A panel of five selectors reviews these works and selects seven finalists—four for the Rose Prize and three for the Bloom Prize.
• The selected pieces are performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Lilian Baylis Studio in London for a week.
• A jury of five esteemed judges determines the winners.
• The Rose Prize winner receives £40,000, while the Bloom Prize winner is awarded £15,000.

Why is the Rose Prize important?

 

The Rose Prize is a significant milestone for dance and choreography. Establishing a prestigious global award for the dance community elevates the status of dance, placing it on par with other major art forms. The prize also provides a platform for new talent, giving emerging choreographers international exposure and that extra boost they need to get noticed. The prize fosters artistic exchange and collaboration across different cultures and dance styles and encourages choreographers to push creative boundaries. Perhaps most importantly, the award creates a lasting legacy for choreography, ensuring continued artistic development by recognizing and rewarding excellence in the field.

 

The First Rose International Dance Prize.

 

The inaugural Rose International Dance Prize competition was held in February 2025. This first iteration of the prize featured 4 nominees for the Rose Prize and 3 nominees for the Bloom Prize. With its inaugural competition setting such a high standard, the Rose Prize is poised to become one of the most coveted awards in the world of choreography.

2025 Rose Prize Nominees

• Kyle Abraham (USA) – An Untitled Love: A celebration of Black love and community set to the music of R&B legend D’Angelo.
• Marco da Silva Ferreira (Portugal) – Caraça: A dynamic fusion of contemporary dance, hip-hop, and club culture.
• Christos Papadopoulos (Greece) – Larsen C: A thought-provoking work examining climate change.
• Lia Rodrigues (Brazil) – Encantado: Rooted in themes of enchantment and resilience.

2025 Bloom Prize Nominees

• Stav Struz Boutrous (Israel) – Sepia: A solo dance piece inspired by Georgian folk dance Khorumi.
• Leïla Ka (France) – Maldonne: A dynamic piece exploring identities within femininity.
• Wang Yeu-Kwn (Taiwan) – Beings: A moving piece inspired by the Chinese character for “person.”

The Rose International Dance Prize is an exciting addition to the world of dance, providing a global stage for outstanding choreographers, rewarding artistic excellence, and fostering innovation.