The RAD Awards 2025
The RAD Awards recognise individuals who have made a lasting impact in the dance world, and will be presented at Members’ Day on 11 May 2025*.
If you want to see someone who has made significant contributions receive an award in one or more of the categories below, you can send your nominations by 31 December 2024.
Congratulations and the best of luck to all!
RAD Awards granted to dance teachers
Only dance teachers holding RAD RTS can be nominated. Nominations can be sent by anyone including non-members (peers, students, etc).
Dance for Wellbeing Award
This award acknowledges an RAD teacher whose efforts have brought about a profound and positive change in the overall wellbeing of individuals through dance.
Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award is given to an RAD teacher who has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to promoting and fostering an inclusive dance community, and who has actively worked to eliminate barriers, embrace diversity and create a welcoming environment for all individuals.
Community Engagement Dance Teacher Award
This award celebrates an RAD teacher who has engaged with and enriched their local communities through dance-related activities. It acknowledges their exceptional contributions in using dance as a tool for social interaction, empowerment and positive change within the community.
Innovation in Dance Award
This award recognises an RAD teacher who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and forward thinking in their teaching methods, choreography, or contributions to the dance industry.
RAD Awards granted in recognition of lifelong service, both to dance and to the RAD
Each award has its own set of criteria and process for nominations. Click on the links below to read the relevant information for each award.
Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance (FRAD)
An Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance is the highest award that the RAD gives to its teaching members. Nominations are open to all RAD teaching members.
The President’s Award
The President’s Award is how the RAD recognises the broad community who go above and beyond to make significant contributions to the world of dance or to further the mission of the RAD.
Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Choreology (FIChor)
The Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Choreology is the highest award that the RAD gives to its Benesh members*.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award (QEII)
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award is presented in recognition of outstanding services to the art of dance. Nominees can be anyone who has made significant and sustained contributions to the art of dance. Note: the QEII will only be awarded when an appropriate recipient is identified and may be presented outside of Members’ Day.
*The Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Choreology (FIChor) will be presented at the Benesh Congress, not at Members’ Day.
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award
The QEII Coronation Award is presented in recognition of outstanding services to the art of dance. This Award was instituted in 1953, the year of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, by Dame Adeline Genée, then President of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Suggested nominees can be anyone who has made significant and sustained contributions to the art of dance at a national or international level, particularly someone who has made a significant positive change in the dance world or its related fields.
Suggestions may be made by RAD Members, Board Members, the CEO, President, Vice Presidents, Ambassadors and Staff and sent to the Artistic Department for collation and verification, before they are reviewed and shortlisted by an appropriate panel, selected and chaired by the CEO. This panel will submit a recommendation to be voted on by the Board of Trustees at their March meeting.
For full details of the award and nomination process please view the guidelines document.
Note: the QEII may not be awarded every year/will only be awarded when an appropriate recipient is identified.
If you’d like to make a suggestion for the QEII award, please email honorarynominations@rad.org.uk.
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