AMSTERDAM – Curaçaoan dancer and choreographer Fina Ferreira has been nominated for the ELJA Foundation Award 2025, alongside Kunstbende and Musicians Without Borders, the foundation announced today.

The lifetime achievement award, worth a total of €100,000, honors individuals and organizations that use art to connect younger generations. The winner will receive €75,000, while the two other nominees will each be awarded €12,500. The prize ceremony will take place on November 25 during the ELJA Foundation Conference & Award at the DeLaMar Theater in Amsterdam.

Key Figure in Dance Development on Curaçao

Ferreira is considered a pivotal force in the development of dance on Curaçao. Through her dance school and later the Dance and More Foundation, she has given opportunities to more than 30,000 young people, including those from vulnerable backgrounds, to nurture and develop their talent. She was previously honored with the Cola Debrot Prize, Curaçao’s highest cultural distinction.

Other Nominees

Kunstbende, the national platform for young creators in the Netherlands, has guided more than 150,000 youths since 1991. Musicians Without Borders uses music as a tool for trauma recovery and social change worldwide, and since 2021 has also focused on children in Dutch asylum centers.

Jury Praise

The jury, chaired by Astrid Rose, described the three nominees as “exceptional in quality, impact, and dedication,” and commended their role in showcasing the transformative power of art and culture.