The Ministry of Culture announced today the awarding of the National Performing Arts Award 2024 to Eduardo Villanueva, in recognition of his career and contributions in the field of dance. The award is given to a single winner and includes a cash prize of one million pesos, as well as a certificate of appreciation.
Villanueva has left an indelible mark on the Dominican Republic’s cultural scene, having been the founding director of the Ballet Nacional Dominicano in 1981 and the Taller de Danza Moderna in 1985. He has also been a central figure in the development and promotion of dance in the country.
The jury decided to grant the award to Villanueva for his outstanding career. The jury was headed by the Minister of Culture, Milagros German, as president, and included Giovanny Cruz, Vice Minister of Creativity and Artistic Formation; Marianela Sallent, Director General of Fine Arts, and Carlos Veitía, Director of the Eduardo Brito National Theater.
Also on the awards jury were Víctor Ramírez, advisor to the Office; José del Castillo Saviñón, sociologist and writer; Andreína Jiménez, representing the Ministry of Education; Marianela Boán, choreographer; Antonia Alcántara, director of the Escuela Nacional de Danza; and Edmundo Poy, director of the Compañía Nacional de Danza Contemporánea.
“Eduardo Villanueva has demonstrated, with his art and dedication, to be one of the most emblematic figures of dance in our country, and this recognition is more than deserved,” said Germán, after the announcement of the jury’s decision.
It should be noted that the main purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding artist in any of the disciplines such as dance, theater or music. Due to this diversity, the calls for entries are alternating, following the order set forth in Decree No. 748-22, starting in 2024: dance, music and theater.
A prolific career
Villanueva has a diverse and extensive training, which began at the Academy of Clara Elena Ramírez and was perfected at renowned institutions such as the Dance Department of the Vienna State University, the American Ballet Theater School, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, in New York, as well as the Ballet Nacional de México, in Querétaro.
As a choreographer, he has produced more than 100 ballets, including works such as “Las hermanas Mirabal”, “Salomé Ureña” and “La casa de Bernarda Alba”. His productions have counted with the collaboration of prominent figures in scenography and costumes, such as Ada Balcácer, Óscar de la Renta and Cándido Bidó.
In addition to his career in dance, Villanueva has had an outstanding career as an actor and singer, having participated in operas and musicals, such as “Rigoletto”, “Carmen” and “West Side Story”, under the direction of renowned directors, such as Carlos Piantini and Bienvenido Miranda.
The award-winning artist has also contributed to the literary field, with more than 500 articles for the national and international press, and has translated several books on history, art and theology into Spanish.
Among his numerous awards are the Casandra (now Soberano) awards and those granted by the Secretary of State for Culture in 2003 and 2021. Villanueva has held important positions, such as manager of Corporate Social Responsibility of the Consorcio Azucarero de Empresas Industriales (CAEI), currently being Learning advisor to the 512 Institute and cultural consultant to the Sinfonía Foundation.
Source:Presidencia.gob.do
