The Johannes Vermeer Award 2025 went to was awarded to Marco Gerris. Minister Gouke Moes (Education, Culture and Science) presented him with the prize in the Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague for his groundbreaking work in which he brings together dance, theater, and other disciplines. This is the first time the Johannes Vermeer Prize has been awarded to an artist in the dance field.
“You could consider this prize the Dutch Nobel Prize for Arts and Culture. I consider it an honor as Minister of Education, Culture and Science to present it. Our country is home to a great deal of exceptional artistic talent, and with this prize we recognize and honor that. It’s also wonderful that the artistic language of dance has now won the prize for the first time.” – Minister Moes
Innovative
The jury, chaired by Marise Voskens, calls Gerris an absolute innovator at the intersection of dance, movement, theater, and music. “He fuses the universal artistic language and energy of dance and movement into unexpected combinations, transforming the stage into a journey for everything and everyone,” said the jury.
The 2025 jury consisted of Marise Voskens (chair), Ted Brandsen, Margot Dijkgraaf, Natasja Kensmil, and Bas Kosters.
Former recipients
Former recipients of the award include illustrator and children’s book author Marit Törnqvist, writer Arnon Grunberg, visual artist Natasja Kensmil, opera director Pierre Audi, filmmaker and writer Alex van Warmerdam, photographer Erwin Olaf, visual artist Marlene Dumas, architect Rem Koolhaas, graphic designer Irma Boom, composer and director Michel van der Aa, visual artist and film director Steve McQueen, fashion designer Iris van Herpen, violinist Janine Jansen, theater maker Ivo van Hove and photographer Rineke Dijkstra.