Resolution is back for 2027 with some exciting new developments

Resolution, the UK's largest annual showcase of new choreography, returns to The Place for 21 nights from 8 January – 25 February 2027, bringing the latest work from emerging dance artists to a main London stage. New for 2027, the inaugural Resolution Award 2027

extends the festival's support for emerging choreographers with a clear pathway into our main theatre programming. Together with opportunities for recent graduates and aspiring dance critics, the festival is manifesting its central idea as a springboard for the artists and voices who will shape the future of dance.

Founded more than 35 years ago by the late John Ashford, Director of The Place's theatre from 1986 to 2009, Resolution was conceived as an open platform where choreographers could test ideas and present new work to audiences. Since then, it has become a significant entry point into the professional dance sector, with artists including Sir Wayne McGregor, Mark Baldwin, Hofesh Shechter, Botis Seva, Kate Prince and Ivan Blackstock among those who have presented work at the festival. Resolution has been central in shaping The Place’s reputation as the place to discover new things first, and we are proud to continue this tradition.

Today, Resolution's role extends well beyond the performances themselves. Through professional development, new commissions, graduate opportunities and critical writing, The Place is building pathways for people at different stages of their careers, supporting not only the creation of new choreography but the wider ecology that allows dance to develop and thrive.

Eddie Nixon, Artistic Director of The Place, says: ‘Resolution is a fundamental part of what The Place is here for – to give opportunities to dancemakers; to try new ideas and support them to develop their creative voice and careers. The Resolution Award is a new step in the pathways of support that we offer for makers, and we look forward to celebrating the distinct choreographic ideas which are always such a privilege to encounter throughout the festival.’

Beyond the performances, Resolution offers artists a professional development programme covering technical production, marketing and producing, alongside opportunities to connect with potential collaborators. The festival gives artists space to experiment, develop their practice and build relationships with audiences and the wider sector.

Introducing the Resolution Award 2027

For the first time, two artists or collectives presenting work at Resolution 2027 will be selected for a new commissioning award, recognising original and distinctive approaches to movement and choreography.

Each recipient will receive £3,000 towards the creation of a new work, a £1,500 performance fee, two weeks of studio space, technical resources and producing support. They will also participate in a new Resolution Lab, bringing them into creative conversation with resident artists and producers from The Place to exchange ideas and develop their choreographic practice.

The commissioned works will premiere in a double bill at The Place in March 2028, creating a tangible next step for artists whose work has shown particular originality and promise at the festival. This award has been developed following a pilot project which will see four artists who presented work in Resolution 2026 return to the theatre with new works in March 2027

Propeller Artists – opportunities for recent graduates

This year's festival also features new commissions by five London Contemporary Dance School graduates, supported through Propeller, The Place's artist development programme for alumni and recent graduates. Designed to bridge the transition from training into professional practice, Propeller provides artists with a two-week residency, studio space and creative support to develop a new work for Resolution, connecting emerging choreographers with the resources and professional experience to develop their practice and present their work to a public audience. Propeller artists are Esther Bedeau, Jess Yeo, Alex Whelan, Maddy Westhead and Mia Ostinelli.

Developing the next generation of dance writers

Resolution also supports the development of dance criticism through Resolution Review, a writing programme running alongside the festival which has played an important role in developing a new generation of dance critics and broadening the range of voices writing about dance. Through an open application process, emerging writers are selected to review performances at Resolution, working with established critics as mentors. Over the years, the programme has helped bring younger writers and a wider range of perspectives into dance criticism, with former participants now contributing to many publications and platforms in the wider critical landscape.

Together, these programmes reflect Resolution's evolving role: not simply presenting emerging talent, but investing in the artists, graduates and critics whose work will shape the future of dance.