Sir Robert Paul Cohan CBE, born in New York in 1925, joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1947 before moving to London in 1968. There, he became the founding Artistic Director of The Place and the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, significantly shaping the trajectory of British dance, and often referred to as the founding father of British contemporary dance.

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​A passionate advocate for contemporary dance, Sir Robert worked tirelessly to expand global audiences and nurture generations of dancers and choreographers. His works continue to inspire and resonate in the world of dance today. Sir Robert passed away at the age of 95 in 2021, and 2025 is the 100th anniversary of his birth. 

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Find out more about Sir Robert's story by clicking here.