internationale tanzmesse nrw is one of the largest professional gatherings dedicated to contemporary dance. Taking place every two years in Düsseldorf, Germany, this year it runs from 28 to 31 August 2024.


With support from Wales Arts International, National Dance Company Wales is offering four bursaries to support Welsh and Wales based dance professionals to attend as delegates. The application deadline is Wednesday 10 July 2024.


There are three primary aspects to tanzmesse:

  • Agora – this exhibition space is the central hub where companies, artists, institutions and organisations can present their own work and represent artists
  • Performance programme – a selected programme of on stage, outdoor and digital performances, and Open Studio and Insight strands that enable selected artists to profile their productions, working methods and project ideas
  • Talk and Connect – a programme of discussions, panels and keynotes.

National Dance Company Wales will be managing the Welsh presence at this year’s event, including a Dance from Wales stand within the Agora. This will complement the wider UK presence which will see FABRIC coordinating a Dance from England delegation, The Work Room leading a Dance from Scotland presence and Northern Ireland involved through Dance Ireland. Some companies and organisations, The Place for example, also choose to have their own presence at Tanzmesse, recognising its importance as a place to network and connect.

 

Who should apply?

You will be a dance practitioner or producer based or currently developing work in Wales and have or are interested in developing an international profile and audience for your work. As a delegate you will get the opportunity to explore international markets and networks and the role of showcases and platforms.

We are looking to offer two of the four bursaries to those who are relatively new to representing their work internationally and would benefit from experiencing tanzmesse through a supported visit.

The other two bursaries will likely be awarded to artists or producers who have visited tanzmesse before and can demonstrate how attendance benefitted their professional development and led to opportunities for them, or their company.


What we will cover

We will organise and cover costs for:

  • Return train travel between Wales and Düsseldorf – you will travel as a group with the other Wales delegates
  • Five night’s accommodation in Düsseldorf
  • Delegate registration

You will also receive an honorarium of £800 to cover time and expenses.

There will be a briefing session ahead of the visit for the Dance from Wales delegation and you will receive support and advice before and during the visit from National Dance Company Wales and Wales Arts International. A joint online session open to all UK delegates is also being planned.


As a delegate there will be time for you to participate in the seminar programme, to attend networking events and to see performances within the artistic programme. Bursary recipients will also be expected to contribute to the staffing of the Dance from Wales stand in the Agora during specified hours.


You must be available to participate in the full period of tanzmesse, 28 to 31 August 2024, plus travel days on 27 August 2024 and 1 September 2024 and have marketing material available to be adapted for use at Tanzmesse.


How do I apply?

We will need to assess the anticipated impact of participating in the supported visit to tanzmesse on your, or your company’s, developing international career and would like to know:

  • Why you are interested in attending tanzmesse this year?
  • What you hope to achieve out of the visit?
  • Why it is timely for the work you are currently involved in or wanting to achieve over the next few years?
  • What international projects or networks have you been involved in and whether there is any current international interest in your work?
  • What international trade fairs or events you have previously attendee?

 

What we need from you:

  • An Expression of Interest (EOI) of no more than 750 words that responds to the areas above. We will accept an expression of interest either in a written format or as a video in BSL or spoken language. We are dedicated to meeting access requirements; just let us know what you need.
  • An up-to-date CV
  • Links to relevant websites or online material

Please send to chris@ndcwales.co.uk, marked ‘Tanzmesse 2024 Bursary EOI’.

 

Closing date and decision notification

The application deadline is Wednesday 10 July 2024.
You will receive a decision no later Thursday 18 July 2024.

 

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact either:

  • Chris Ricketts at National Dance Company Wales (chris@ndcwales.co.uk)

or

  • Nikki Morgan at Wales Arts International (nicola.morgan@wai.org.uk)