Výzva k podávání návrhů: Tanztriennale 2026
International call for proposals Tanztriennale 2026
For the first edition of its German ‘Cultural Beacon’ Tanztriennale (Dance Triennial) in 2026, the German Federal Cultural Foundation is looking for (an) Artistic Director(s) (f/m/d)
About the Tanztriennale
With an annual funding volume that is currently almost 38 million euros, the German Federal Cultural Foundation is one of the largest publicly funded cultural foundations in Europe. With its new ‘Tanztriennale’ initiative, the Federal Cultural Foundation is expanding its previous concept of an international industry event in the field of dance (‘Tanzkongress’). The Tanztriennale will focus on up-to-date works and trends in the field of choreography. It strives in particular to bring together a variety of artistic scenes – from classical ballet to contemporary aesthetics and community-based dance styles, such as ballroom and hip hop, as well as hybrid forms with nouveau cirque, performance and digital technologies.
Through workshops and artist labs, the Tanztriennale will, for instance, enable krumpers to explore ideas with ballet choreographers in order to breathe new inspiration into the scene and create new opportunities for artistic collaboration between the various styles. Both the traditional ballet audience and urban dance enthusiasts are able to discover new aesthetics. A further area of focus will involve working with non-professional dancers of all ages, as well as the community aspect of dance; a comprehensive outreach programme will strive to appeal to those visitors who have previously had little contact with dance. The concept will be further honed by the Artistic Director(s).
The Tanztriennale will be realised in close cooperation with a host city, with the first edition scheduled for 2026. Currently, German cities are eligible to apply if they have a diverse dance scene and a repertoire ensemble, ensure reliable support for dance and can provide their own financial and human resources. Following a successful first edition in 2026, the next edition in 2029 can also be held in the host city. This will be done with the prospect of anchoring the Tanztriennale in one city to enable continuity and longer-term cooperations.
The Board of Trustees of the Federal Cultural Foundation will likely select the city in July 2024. Funding totalling 1,045,000 euros is available from 2024 to 2026 for the project’s realisation (Federal Cultural Foundation: 950,000 euros, host city: at least 95,000 euros). The budget can be used for staff and material costs, and the city will provide theatres, studios and other municipal premises free of charge.
For more information, please visit: www.kulturstiftung-des-bundes.de/en/tanztriennale
Duties of the Artistic Director(s)
For the artistic direction, a person or a team is being sought to develop an overall substantive and artistic concept for the Tanztriennale and to implement it together with a project manager. In close cooperation with local stakeholders and institutions, he, she or they will curate and develop a program, set thematic focal points and, if applicable, select curators for individual topics as well as artists and other dance stakeholders.
Selected national and international dance experts will contribute to the professional exchange in open or curated formats. The Artistic Director(s) will see it as their duty to provide the audience with an insight into the diverse working methods in dance by means of new productions, guest performances and educational formats. A continuous presence in the city is expected in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the regional conditions and work closely with local partners.
Other duties of the Artistic Director(s) include:
• Substantive and organisational cooperation with municipal and regional dance institutions and stakeholders, adaptation of the activities of the Tanztriennale to local conditions
• Costings for the programme within the framework of the conceptual requirements
• Tanztriennale representation and communication in public, in political committees and at specialist events
• Collaboration on the communication concept, especially with the aim of appealing to new audiences
Qualifications
You have excellent knowledge of the international and German dance and have a large network of stakeholders in dance and ideally other art disciplines. You have experience in the conception, planning and execution of dance events and are able to develop convincing, innovative curatorial concepts. You have a flair for dramaturgy and know how to address different audiences and make things accessible for them.
You take a serious interest in local conditions and bring openness and commitment to collaborations with local partners. With your integrative personality and pronounced communication skills, you are able to integrate different stakeholders and artistic personalities and to masterfully represent the Tanztriennale in different contexts. You have a very good command of English.
Period of activity
Preparations for the Tanztriennale 2026 will begin as soon as possible after the Artistic Director(s) has/have been appointed in autumn 2024. The activities of the Artistic Director(s) will end two months after the Tanztriennale 2026. Reappointment will be possible.
Selection process
The deadline for applications is 31 August 2024. A team application is possible. The selection of the Artistic Director(s) shall be made with the help of an international Search Committee; the names of its members shall be communicated when the Artistic Director(s) is/are announced.
The shortlisted applicants shall be invited to a personal interview with the Search Committee and the Executive Board of the Federal Cultural Foundation. The interviews are scheduled to take place in Berlin on 14 September 2024. Personal, face-to-face attendance at the interview shall be essential.
Documents to be submitted
Please submit the following documents in English:
- a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
- a curatorial concept outline presenting your ideas and the steps you plan to take to implement them, how you want to familiarise yourself with the local dance scene and how you plan to involve the local dance institutions (max. 5 pages)
- a complete CV
- your proposed fee
Please send your application documents in one PDF file to: tanztriennale@kulturstiftung-bund. de.
The date of email receipt shall be the determining date. If you have any questions, please contact Karin Kirchhoff at karin.kirchhoff@kulturstiftung-bund.de. Please refrain from enquiries regarding the status of the application process. All applicants will be notified at the end of the proces.
