The internationale tanzmesse nrw, the world’s largest showcase of contemporary dance, is back and will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from Wednesday 31 August to Saturday 3 September 2022.

The showcase is under new leadership of Co-Directors Katharina Kucher & Isa Köhler, working alongside four new Associate Curators Julia Asperska, Dan Daw, Quito Tembe and Natacha Melo.

The next edition of Tanzmesse focuses primarily on networking and the exchange of knowledge. Three sections set the frame of international tanzmesse nrw: Agora (Exhibition space), Talk & Connect, and the Performance Programme to facilitate knowledge transfer and discussions among dance professionals. To find out more please visit NEXT TANZMESSE 2022.

In partnership with Wales Arts International, National Dance Company Wales will be hosting the Dance From Wales Stand at the internationale tanzmesse nrw 2022. We will also co-ordinate a joint UK presence alongside partners The Work Room, Scotland and Dance 4, England, who are respectively hosting Dance From Scotland and England exhibition booths at the Agora.

National Dance Company Wales are offering four bursaries to individual dance artists and independent producers based in Wales to attend Tanzmesse 2022, two in each of the following areas:

  • Go-and-See: Early career artists or producers, who may be new to international showcases, for whom a place will be a useful career development opportunity at this time. This will be a supported opportunity to experience an international showcase and trade fair and to engage with international networks present at Tanzmesse.
  • Tour Ready: Artists or producers who have work already created. You may or may not have previously toured or collaborated internationally, but you will have work which is ready for international markets.


Applications are now open.

Deadline for applications:
Friday 20 May, 9am BST

The bursaries will include:

  • Slow return travel (avoiding flights) from Wales to Düsseldorf (31 August & 4 September)
  • Five nights’ accommodation in Düsseldorf
  • Delegate pass
  • A bursary of £700 for all commitments related to this offer (preparation, travel days, active attendance at Tanzmesse and evaluation report and meeting)
  • Per diems for 6 days at £25 per day
  • A contribution of up to £150 to develop or adapt digital marketing materials
  • Those awarded Tour Ready bursaries will also be registered to the Dance From Wales stand

There will be a number of briefing and preparatory sessions ahead of the visit for all those awarded a bursary. You will also receive dedicated support and advice before and during the visit by the Dance From Wales team.

There will be time for you to participate in the seminar programme, to attend networking events and to go to shows within the artistic programme; however, you will be expected to contribute to the staffing of the stand during specified hours.

 

Who should apply?

To be eligible for this opportunity you must:

  • work independently (i.e you are not in receipt of regular funding)
  • be a dance artist or dance producer  
  • be based in and make work in Wales 
  • be committed to actively taking part in the Dance from Wales and co-ordinated UK events at Tanzmesse  
  • be available to participate in the full period of Tanzmesse (31 August to 3 September) and the travel days (30 August and 4 September)
  • contribute to a written evaluation and take part in an evaluation meeting online no more than 30 days after return
  • For those applying for a Go and See bursary, be ready to actively engage with the international networks present at Tanzmesse
  • For those applying for a Tour Ready bursary, be ready to represent yourself (or the artist you are working with) to international networks and have marketing material ready to be adapted for use at Tanzmesse

Please note that any organisations or companies interested in attending should contact Nicola Morgan nicola.morgan@wai.org.uk, Wales Arts International. This application is for independent artists and independent producers only.   

 

The application

We will need to assess the anticipated impact of participating in the supported visit to Tanzmesse on your developing international career. You can apply to us by email in writing or by an alternative method such as a video or voice recorded application, responding to the questions below and clearly stating which bursary you are applying for:

Go-and-See Bursary:

  1. Why you are interested in attending Tanzmesse?
  2. Why would this international opportunity be valuable to you at this point?   
  3. Have you participated in any other international showcases, trade fairs or events?
  4. How you can act as an ambassador for contemporary dance in Wales?


Tour Ready Bursary:

  1. Why are you are interested in attending Tanzmesse?
  2. What would you like to get out of the visit and why would this international opportunity be valuable to you at this point?  
  3. If you are an applying as an artist, what are the projects or works that you would represent at Tanzmesse?
  4. If you are applying as a producer, who are the artists or projects you work with and would represent at Tanzmesse?
  5. What are the international projects or networks you’ve been involved in to date and is there any current international interest in your work?
  6. Have you participated in any other in person or digital international showcases, trade fairs or events?
  7. How will you act as an ambassador for contemporary dance in Wales during Tanzmesse?

 

Selection Process

The application deadline is Friday 20 May at 9am
Successful candidates will be notified by the end of the following week.

Applications will be reviewed, and final decisions made by an advisory group including a representative from National Dance Company Wales, a representative from Wales Arts International, an artist / maker, and an independent producer.

We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds with different skills, perspectives, and stories. We are particularly keen to receive proposals that reflect a broad range of experiences across age, class, disability, gender, race and sexual orientation.

 

How do I apply?

Your application needs to respond to the questions above and to include a CV. Please send your submission to kate@ndcwales.co.uk clearly noting which bursary you are applying for.

You can send your submission in writing or by an alternative method such as a video or audio application via WeTransfer.  

If you have any questions, please contact:
Kate Perridge: kate@ndcwales.co.uk
Or Nicola Morgan: nicola.morgan@wai.org.uk

Find out more about Tanzmesse here