Louisville Ballet announces the Commonwealth Choreography Award
(LOUISVILLE, KY: May 5, 2026) — Louisville Ballet today announces the Commonwealth Choreography Award, an international annual award of $100,000 made possible through the generosity of visionary anonymous donors. Designed to identify, elevate, and invest in exceptional choreographers at pivotal moments in their artistic development, the award supports the creation and premiere of a new work, including a $25,000 honorarium for the recipient. It provides full production support for its presentation as part of a triple-bill program, Momentum, featuring additional choreographic voices.
“This award allows us to bring some of the most innovative and accomplished choreographers in the field to Louisville Ballet,” said Anthony Krutzkamp, Artistic Director. “Presenting the winner’s work as a world premiere during our 75th anniversary season is a thrilling opportunity to showcase their vision while celebrating a milestone for our company.”
Guided by the vision “From the Commonwealth to the Global Stage,” the Commonwealth Choreography Award positions Louisville Ballet as a vital incubator for choreographic innovation. It recognizes artists who are advancing the field through originality, perspective, and an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Rooted in Kentucky’s identity as a Commonwealth, this award extends that ethos beyond geographic borders and serves as a platform to champion choreographers whose work reflects a singular artistic voice that resonates across diverse cultures, communities, and international stages.
Recipients are selected through a competitive international application process and adjudicated by a distinguished jury of global dance leaders, including Wendy Whelan, Associate Artistic Director, New York City Ballet; Grace Holmes, Director of San Francisco Ballet School; Norton Fantinel, Artistic Director, Arles Youth Ballet Company; Kinsun Chan, Artistic Director of the Semperoper Ballett, and Louisville Ballet’s Artistic Director, Anthony Krutzkamp. In addition to direct financial investment, the award recipient’s work will be presented as a world premiere for Louisville Ballet, ultimately expanding their visibility through national and international networks.
Krutzkamp said, “Through this award, Louisville Ballet not only invests in individual artists but also reinforces its role as a cultural leader, bridging regional identity with global artistic impact.”
Applications for the inaugural award open Tuesday, May 5, and close Friday, June 5, 2026. The selected choreographer will be awarded on August 7, 2026, with a public announcement to follow. Interested individuals should submit their application to (need a unique URL like the Commonwealth Choreographer Award). Applicants must submit a 500-word proposal for a new work, a resume, and two links to recent works as videos.
For more information about the award and jury members, click here. Or, contact Arricka Dunsford at 502.376.9947 or via email at adunsford@louisvilleballet.org
About Louisville Ballet
Founded in 1952, Louisville Ballet is Kentucky’s official state ballet and a nationally recognized professional dance company. Committed to changing lives through dance, the company presents a diverse repertoire, from beloved classics to bold contemporary works, while engaging more than 71,000 people annually through performances, education, and outreach. With over 1,200 students enrolled at The Louisville Ballet School and more than 31,000 reached through community engagement programs, the Ballet is dedicated to making dance accessible to all, fostering creativity, wellness, and connection across generations. Learn more at louisvilleballet.org or follow @louballet on social media.