Bonnie Bird Lifetime Contribution to Choreography Award

This biennial award celebrates and acknowledges those who have made exceptional lifetime contributions to the specific development of choreography and choreographic practice in the UK.

The award was set up partly to formally recognise a unique aspect of the dance industry, and partly in recognition of the contribution that our founder Bonnie Bird made in this respect to choreographic practice in the UK during her lifetime. We aim to honour both her and others who are following in her steps, making both subtle and dramatic shifts to the choreographic landscape.

Individuals might choose to nominate a choreographer, but equally might nominate an educator, programmer or producer, any one individual who, through their lifetime has contributed specifically to the development of choreography in the UK in a significant way for a significant time.

The inaugural award was made to Rosemary Butcher in December 2015.

A book was created for Rosemary by David Ellis at why not associates, which is available to view by clicking here.

Robert Cohan CBE was awarded in December 2017 in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the development of choreography in the UK and beyond.

Call for nominations

The awardee is selected by the Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund’s Trustees and Advisors, from nominations invited from the dance sector. Anyone can nominate someone for the award and only one nomination is accepted from each nominator. The call for nominations is advertised on our website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

In addition, colleagues are contacted by the Trustees and Advisors through personal email and invited to make a nomination. Trustees and Advisors themselves may also nominate.

We are now inviting nominations for the Lifetime Contribution to Choreography Award. To make a nomination, please send your name, e-mail and phone number along with the name of the individual you would like to nominate, plus a paragraph on why you are nominating them, to our Chair Brendan Keaney at chair@bonniebird.org. The deadline for nominations is Friday 29th November 2019, 12pm.