Applications are now open for European Deaf and/or disabled artists who are seeking co-producers for new artistic works based in dance practice, choreography or movement.

This Open Call is issued by Europe Beyond Access, a consortium of ten leading European dance and performing arts organisations. Europe Beyond Access supports disabled and/or Deaf artists to break the glass ceilings of the contemporary performing arts sector and to become Europe’s next artistic leaders.

Who can apply?

Applicants who self-identify as Deaf or disabled are eligible to apply. EBA co-productions must be led by one or more Deaf and/or disabled artists. Or, the productions may be led by collectives that include disabled artists in equal positions of leadership. The application itself must be made by the Deaf and/or disabled lead artist or artists, or those working collaboratively.

The lead artist(s) must have previous experience making work in either local, national, or international contexts. Proposals can come from independent artists with or without a producer or production support, or they can come from artists working with established companies.

Artists must be residents of one of the European Union countries or any of the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Tunisia, United Kingdom, and Ukraine.

Artists can apply in writing, by recording audio or via video in sign language.

What are they looking for?

EBA partners are looking for new works that can be presented at two or more of their partners’ venues or festivals. They are flexible about how the work can be presented, as long as it is transferrable and flexible enough to be shown in different locations.

They are looking for new ideas and projects led artistically by Deaf and/or disabled artists. Projects should be based in dance practice, choreography, or movement or that use different disciplines to explore body and motion.

Submitted ideas and projects can be at various stages of development, but must not yet be in production.

What do they offer?

EBA offers co-production support of between €15,000 and €40,000 for each project. This includes opportunities for public presentations at two or more of the partners’ venues, companies or festivals.

The deadline for First Stage applications is on 19 May 2024.

Following this deadline, shortlisted projects will enter into a period of idea development and discussion with the EBA partners. Then the applicants will submit a more detailed application in September 2024. A minimum of three new artistic productions or projects will be supported.

About EBA II

The second generation of the project is led by an enlarged consortium that continues to support disabled and Deaf performing artists across Europe.

The project is run by 10 high-profile European cultural organisations: Skånes Dansteater (Sweden), Holland Dance Festival (Netherlands), Onassis Stegi (Grece), Oriente Occidente (Italy), Kampnagel – Internationales Zentrum für schönere Künste (Germany), CODA Oslo International Dance Festival (Norway), Centrum Kultury ZAMEK w Poznaniu (Poland), Project Arts Centre (Ireland), Mercat de les Flors (Spain), Culturgest – Fundação CGD (Portugal).

British Council (UK), who initiated and led the first Europe Beyond Access programme from 2018-2023, is now an associated partner.

“Fine Lines” by Roser López Espinosa / Skånes Dansteater / Europe Beyond Access / Photo ©Simone Cargnoni for Oriente Occidente