Johannes Vermeer
We are very proud to announce that Marco Gerris, choreographer, dance theater director, and founder of ISH, will receive the Johannes Vermeer Prize 2025. Gerris is receiving the prize for his groundbreaking work, in which he brings together urban sports, dance, theater, and other disciplines in his own unique way. This is the first time that the Johannes Vermeer Prize has been awarded to an artist from the field of dance. The prestigious Dutch state prize for the arts will be presented on Monday, November 17, 2025, in the Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague by Gouke Moes, Minister of Education, Culture, and Science.
Versatile innovator
Marco Gerris is a versatile and authentic dance theater maker. Operating at the intersection of dance, movement, theater, and music, he is a true innovator. Drawing on his experience and ambitions, Gerris founded ISH Dance Collective (ISH), which over the past twenty-five years has grown into a nationally and internationally renowned company. As a director and artistic leader, he takes inspiration from the street, bringing contemporary art forms such as hip-hop dance, freestyle, and urban sports into the theater. He also collaborates with established creators and companies in the fields of classical music, ballet, and theater, breaking through conventional codes and achieving exceptional artistic results together.
Groundbreaking productions
Marco Gerris' work includes acclaimed productions such as Elements of Freestyle, Rhythm & Flow (winner of the 2024 Zwaan), Hip Hop Circus, and co-productions with the Dutch National Ballet (Narnia, GRIMM, and Dorian), Amsterdam Sinfonietta (Het barre land), and Jakop Ahlbom Company (Knock Out & A Fine Mess). Through these works, he continually redefines the world of dance theater. The jury of the Johannes Vermeer Prize said of Marco Gerris:
“Marco puts his artistic vision at the service of others, seeking to inspire and bridge differences. He integrates everything and everyone, blending it into something new, with a social impact that transcends conventional movement arts. And he just keeps going.''
Wide audience for multidisciplinary collaborations
Gerris' work draws sold-out audiences at home and abroad. He reaches a mixed audience of different generations and backgrounds, who identify with his performances. “Marco Gerris knows how to capture the spirit of the times and incorporate it into theatrical forms. With his experimental, multidisciplinary collaborations, he merges the universal artistic language and energy of dance and movement into unexpected combinations, transforming the stage into a course for everything and everyone,” said the jury of the Johannes Vermeer Prize.
Exhibition
To mark the award ceremony, the ministry will present an impression of Gerris' work in the OCW Showcase, an exhibition on display from November 17, 2025, until the end of April 2026. The exhibition will be designed by set designer Ascon de Nijs.
More information about the award can be found at the website about Johannes Vermeer Award.
