Licht op Talent, De Supermarkt, and Aad van Jole are the winners of the 2025 Art and Culture Prize!
The winners of the Zoetermeer Art and Culture Award 2025 have been announced. During a festive evening on Wednesday, February 25, at CKC & partners, Alderman Jan Iedema presented the awards. With these awards, the municipality of Zoetermeer recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a special contribution to art and culture in the city over the past year.
The evening kicked off with a performance by Dansis Dance School, together with a soloist from Greg & Baud Productions. This was followed by a brief review of the nominees and the jury discussed the various entries.
Art and Culture Award for Spotlight on Talent
The Art and Culture Prize went to the Licht op Talent (Light on Talent) project with the performance Knap hé (Clever, isn't it?). This collaborative project between the Stadstheater Zoetermeer and Ipse de Bruggen gave eight people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to tell their own stories on stage.
The jury was impressed by the honest and courageous stories, in which an often underestimated group revealed themselves. The performance provided space for strength, anger, and individuality, and demonstrated how important it is that these voices are heard.
Incentive award for De Supermarkt
The Incentive Award went to De Supermarkt for the Geel Blauw Land event. On August 16, 2025, Colin Knoester and Dimitrije Trajkovic transformed the Franx art garage into a 12-hour free art festival. More than 300 visitors were introduced to the work of 30 young creators, ranging from visual arts and poetry to live music and installations. The jury praised the innovative approach, the strong involvement of young people, and the new collaborations that arose during the event.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Aad van Jole
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Aad van Jole. With his JJ Music House, he played an important role in the development of musicians in Zoetermeer for many years. Through him, many artists were given the opportunity to gain experience and develop their skills. Aad van Jole has thus made a significant contribution to culture and music in Zoetermeer.
About the prices
The Art and Culture Award, Incentive Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award are an initiative of the municipality of Zoetermeer. With these awards, the city honors exceptional cultural achievements and talents. The awards are intended for individuals and organizations that have made a distinctive contribution to art and culture in Zoetermeer over the past year.