Damen Shipyards Group extends partnership with Nederlands Dans Theater for another three years

The long-standing and remarkable partnership between Damen Shipyards Group and Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) will continue. After 35 years of support, Damen has once again signed on for a three-year founding partnership with the dance company. And that is certainly cause for celebration.

Dance connects, inspires, and transforms, and in the case of Damen and NDT, this has formed the foundation of a warm collaboration that has endured for nearly four decades. When Kommer and Josien Damen attended an NDT performance more than 35 years ago, their admiration for, and recognition of NDT’s international, innovative, and dynamic spirit marked the beginning of much more. Kommer and Josien Damen evolved from admirers to board members and eventually became NDT’s First Founding Partner in 2008. The unconditional support that has developed over the years is the thread that runs through this unique history.

Josien Damen: “This renewed partnership allows us to continue our relationship with an organisation that shares the same values as Damen. We both hold an unwavering commitment to quality and a shared pride in delivering excellence. Nederlands Dans Theater is a leader in its field, putting the Netherlands on the map internationally. This greatly resonates with us, and we are eager to share our enthusiasm for NDT with as many people as possible.”

The partnership between NDT and Damen is of great value to both parties, and with this continuation, there is ample opportunity to deepen the relationship, particularly for the next generation(s). Over the next three years, they will focus on young talent, both at Damen and NDT, based on their shared intrinsic values of international excellence. At Damen, young talent is invited to gain insight into the workings of NDT and to be involved in the direction of the dance company, while NDT, with Damen’s generous support, continues to inspire and nurture young dance talent. And so, the circle is complete.

“We are incredibly grateful that Damen continues to support us so faithfully, not only financially but also by exchanging thoughts with us, offering advice, and consistently coming up with new ideas to enrich our partnership,” says Willemijn Maas, Managing Director of NDT. “Especially in times of change, we strengthen each other, and that is extremely valuable. I’m looking forward to this new chapter and the opportunities we can create together to nurture creativity and collaboration.”

For Emily Molnar, Artistic Director of NDT, this continuation also serves as a catalyst for the shared mission and vision: “As an international contemporary dance company dedicated to innovation, our long-term partnership with Josien and Kommer Damen has become integral to the very fabric of NDT. Over the years, their generous interest and support have been crucial to our development. Their unwavering dedication and care not only enable us to push creative boundaries and expand our connections with audiences worldwide but also motivate us to continue inspiring meaningful dialogue toward a more inclusive society. We are very excited to see what the future holds for our partnership.”