DRIFT | Open Call

Each selected artist will benefit from the following support:

• Research funding—a dedicated budget of 20,000 euros for the research phase, including an Onboarding Lab, two weeks of residency with the local DRIFT partner, and participation in the showcase at the Biennale de Lyon. This envelope includes artistic fees, travel and accommodation costs, and, where applicable, any optional collaborators involved by the applicant in the project.
• 3 Online Labs—a series of collaborative online working sessions with the full artist cohort.
• Showcase participation—presentation of work in progress at the Biennale de la danse (Lyon, France), September 2027.
• Artistic and curatorial mentoring—individual support from DRIFT partner organizations.
• Professional networking & international visibility—engagement with DRIFT's European and international partner ecosystem.

N.B. In a second phase (subject to a further selection process), 5 of the 10 selected artists will be invited to develop their work through co-production support, with access to touring opportunities across the DRIFT network in Europe and beyond. This open call concerns the research and development phase only.

The call is open to:

• Professional choreographers with a demonstrated track record in contemporary dance or performance
• Mid-career artists, beyond the emerging stage at the national level, but not yet fully established at an international level.
• Artists whose practice would benefit from strengthening the research phase of their work.
• Artists wishing to develop their presence and connections at a European level.
• Artists with a solid interest in experimentation, transnational collaboration, and artistic research.
• Artists with a good command of English (working language of the project).

Each DRIFT partner selects one artist based in their country. Applicants must be based in one of the following countries at the time of application:

Belgium · France · Germany · Greece · Italy · Norway · Portugal · Spain · Tunisia · Ukraine

Applicants are required to submit their application through the partner organization representing their country of residence.

For administrative reasons, in Belgium and Germany, the call is specifically open to applicants residing in the French-speaking Community of Belgium (FWB) and the Berlin region, respectively.

Selected artists must be available for the following key dates:

• November 30—December 1, 2026: Introductory meeting and pitching session with DRIFT partners and artists in Berlin (Germany)
• November 1, 2026—September 17, 2027: One Onboarding Lab + two local residencies (2 weeks in total) + three online Lab sessions
• March 18–21, 2027: Participation in the Festival Lab in Tunis (Tunisia)
• September 18–25, 2027: Showcase at the Biennale de la danse, Lyon (France)

Each DRIFT partner is responsible for selecting the artist based in its country. Selection will be based on the following criteria:Artistic quality—the strength, coherence, and singularity of the artist’s practiceRelevance of the research proposal—clarity and pertinence of the proposed research directionProfessional experience—demonstrated career development and engagement with the fieldMotivation—depth of engagement with DRIFT’s values and frameworkPotential for international development—capacity to benefit from and contribute to a transnational contextAvailability—confirmed ability to participate in all key project momentsApplication MaterialsApplications must be submitted via the online form below. The following documents must be attached:Artistic CV (PDF)Short description of artistic practice & research proposal (max. 2 pages, PDF). Please indicate whether or not the research project involves a working team (one or more collaborators alongside the applicant artist).Portfolio & video links to 2–3 representative previous works (to be included directly in the form).As part of the application evaluation process, we will pay particular attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations, ensuring that applications are reviewed in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination.TimelineCall opens: July 1, 2026Application deadline: August 31, 2026Selection process: September 1–30, 2026Results announced: October 9, 2026Kick-off meeting in Berlin: November30—December 1, 2026Festival Lab in Tunis: March 18–21, 2027Showcase Lyon: September 18–25, 2027

Each DRIFT partner is responsible for selecting the artist based in its country. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Artistic quality—the strength, coherence, and singularity of the artist’s practice
• Relevance of the research proposal—clarity and pertinence of the proposed research direction
• Professional experience—demonstrated career development and engagement with the field
• Motivation—depth of engagement with DRIFT’s values and framework
• Potential for international development—capacity to benefit from and contribute to a transnational context
• Availability—confirmed ability to participate in all key project moments

Applications must be submitted via the online form below. The following documents must be attached:Artistic CV (PDF)Short description of artistic practice & research proposal (max. 2 pages, PDF). Please indicate whether or not the research project involves a working team (one or more collaborators alongside the applicant artist).Portfolio & video links to 2–3 representative previous works (to be included directly in the form).As part of the application evaluation process, we will pay particular attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations, ensuring that applications are reviewed in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination.TimelineCall opens: July 1, 2026Application deadline: August 31, 2026Selection process: September 1–30, 2026Results announced: October 9, 2026Kick-off meeting in Berlin: November30—December 1, 2026Festival Lab in Tunis: March 18–21, 2027Showcase Lyon: September 18–25, 2027

Applications must be submitted via the online form below. The following documents must be attached:

1. Artistic CV (PDF)
2. Short description of artistic practice & research proposal (max. 2 pages, PDF). Please indicate whether or not the research project involves a working team (one or more collaborators alongside the applicant artist).
3. Portfolio & video links to 2–3 representative previous works (to be included directly in the form).

As part of the application evaluation process, we will pay particular attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations, ensuring that applications are reviewed in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

Application deadline: August 31, 2026

Selection process: September 1–30, 2026

Results announced: October 9, 2026

Kick-off meeting in Berlin: November30—December 1, 2026

Festival Lab in Tunis: March 18–21, 2027

Showcase Lyon: September 18–25, 2027