Applications open for Louise Bentall Biennial Award for Emerging B.C. Choreographers

The 2025 prize is worth $10,000 to research, develop, or produce new work

Livona Ellis. Photo by Michael Slobodian

DANCEHOUSE AND THE Hawthorne Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2025 Louise Bentall Biennial Award for Emerging British Columbia Choreographers.

Just as with the inaugural award in 2023, which went to Livona Ellis, the 2025 award supports the winning artist financially with $10,000 to research, develop, or produce new work. This year, the jury will also choose a second-place winner, who will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

The award was created in memory of Louise Bentall, who was a long-time board member of DanceHouse and who worked and volunteered for many local dance and theatre organizations, in addition to taking part in many charitable activities in support of the performing arts and social justice communities of the Lower Mainland. She died in 2017, and the prize honours her memory by advancing support for Vancouver’s dance community.

With ongoing funding from the Hawthorne Foundation and administrative support from DanceHouse, the award is given every other year and is juried by a diverse panel of arts professionals.

In 2023, honourary mentions were given to the runners-up Alyssa Favero and Joshua Ongcol.

Applications are judged based on the overall presentation of the proposal and the vision and potential of the artist. Applicants must submit a project description, a CV, two letters of support, a project budget, and up to two video links relating to the proposal through the DanceHouse website.

Individual emerging choreographers working in all styles of dance, including multidisciplinary projects, are encouraged to apply by January 26, 2025.

There is no upper age limit on applicants, but choreographers residing in B.C. who have completed pre-professional training and have held at least one public performance of their work are the intended recipients. Students are not eligible to apply to fund further studies or training. Companies, collectives, and organizations are not eligible.

The winner will be announced on April 25, 2025 at DanceHouse’s presentation of Belgian dance-theatre company Peeping Tom’s Diptych.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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