Circe – Experimental Platform For Dance and Theater – announces the open call for dancers and choreographers in Georgia. iCoDaCo  2024-2027 is an international project by Creative Europe.

The open call starts on May 23, with a deadline of June 14. An online meeting with the selected candidates will be held via Zoom on June 17. The final list of selected dancers/choreographers will be announced on June 20.

Within the framework of the project, 8 dancers will be selected to participate in the international residency program for 4 years. The primary goal of this program is to enhance qualifications and promote international cooperation among the selected artists.

 About iCoDaCo 2024-2027

iCoDaCo 2024-2027 is a large European cooperation project co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by ilDance. The project has taken place since 2012 in different constellations, variations, geographical locations and with different partnerships and focuses. 

The project will bring together contemporary dance artists from 12 European countries to form nine collectives who work together to forge new knowledge, methodologies and practices. 

Within iCoDaCo 2024-2027, nine national collectives from Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Czech, Latvia, Hungary, and Georgia will work together closely, engaging in frequent collaboration, exchange, and practice-sharing digitally throughout the project. 

The aim is to enhance and evolve sustainability, accessibility and innovation within the contemporary dance field, as well as strengthen the contribution of dance knowledge to adjacent sectors and other parts of society.

iCoDaCo 2024-2027 will develop the world’s first open-access digital platform for contemporary dance practices. All the artists in the project will contribute both their individual and their collective knowledge to this platform; its aim is to enhance knowledge sharing, cooperation, collaboration and accessibility in contemporary dance globally.

About Circe – Experimental Platform for Dance and Theatre

Circe Experimental Platform for Dance and Theatre – synthesis of contemporary dance, theater and music.

The aim of the platform is to develop a contemporary experimental dance and performance scene in Georgia. Circe Platform hosts international contemporary performance events and organizes workshops for Georgian audiences that enhance the field and foster international collaborations.

The project aims to create a multifunctional platform dedicated to broadening artistic spectrum: establishing socially active creative space to facilitate new discourse and its development through visual arts, film, theater performance, and public lectures.

Project structure:

Within iCoDaCo 2024-2027, nine national collectives from Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Czechia, Latvia, Hungary, and Georgia will work together closely, engaging in frequent collaboration, exchange, and practice-sharing digitally throughout the project. 

Beyond the artistic collaboration, the project offers a broad and multilayered support system for the artists, including mentorship, assistance, guidance, learning opportunities and advice.

The role of artists in iCoDaCo 2024-2027

In the iCoDaCo 2024-2027 programme the artists will participate in the following: 

Knowledge production – Multifaceted Residency Program (Nov 2024 – Feb 2026)

• The artists will participate in an extensive residency program, thematically designed to spark innovation and facilitate deep research. This includes a series of both short and prolonged residencies, fostering a space for creative exploration and exchange. During the residencies, the artists will engage in a collaboration with the other international collectives (in other geographic locations). The artists will be asked to offer a reflection about each of the themes at the end of each residency. These contributions will later be shared on the newly developed iCoDaCo open access digital platform.

• In total there are 15 weeks of knowledge production (research) residencies which are divided into 8 residencies (1 of one week and 7 of two weeks each) 

All 9 collectives will be in residency at the same time, each in their respective countries. Each week will have a theme that all the collectives will be addressing (TIERS). For each TIER the collective will receive stimuli to assist them in the research process. These stimuli will not dictate the approach, methodology or process with which the collectives will address the particular TIER. The approach, methodology and process will be developed and articulated by the collective. Each collective might develop a different approach. There is no need for unanimity or homogeneity.  

• At the end of each week, each collective will be asked to share their collective reflection upon the TIER. For some of the tiers, collective contributions will be required in a specific format/medium predetermined by the encompassing collective  (e/g. text, video, sound files, sketches, memes, photographs etc).

• Each week in residency, there will also be a midweek opportunity for check in with artists from the other collectives. Here the artists can raise thoughts/ideas with the other collectives and the encompassing collective if they choose to do so. This would be in response to the will/request of the artists and not as an obligation within the structure of the project. 

• Each individual artist (from all the collectives) will be required to submit their own contribution/reflection/conclusion for each of the 15 TIERS proposed within the project structure. The format/medium of the individual contributions will be chosen by the individual themselves (text, video, sketch, sound file, photograph, meme etc). 

Collaborative Creation Process (Spring 2027)

• 6-week collaborative creation process based on knowledge and practices which will have been developed during the research and knowledge production phases of the project. 

• After the knowledge production phase of the project, each collective will be asked to develop a new piece which is based on the score/manual that will have been developed by the entirety of iCoDaCo artists in the “local” collectives and the encompassing collective. This piece will be created during 6 weeks of a creation process in addition to the 15 weeks knowledge production process and then presented as part of the mini-festival.  

Engagement with Communities (throughout the project)

• In iCoDaCo we extend the reach of dance by connecting with various communities, including amateurs, students, and marginalized groups, through a range of activities such as workshops, classes and talks. Which communities to connect with, in what way and when will be discussed and decided upon together with the artists. 

• The artists will also engage in community outreach, public events and practice sharing in local/national contexts (workshops, classes, artist talks, seminars, satellite creations* 

Professional Development (throughout the project) 

• Access a series of seminars, conferences and workshops aimed at fostering professional growth and facilitating expansive networking opportunities across Europe.
• One-to-one mentorship and advice sessions with experts depending on the needs and the intentions of each artist.

Mini-Festival(s) Participation (2 weeks in Spring – Summer 2027)

• Contribution to and participation in vibrant mini-festival(s) programs, which include performances, workshops, artist talks and lecture demonstrations of the iCoDaCo open access digital platform for contemporary dance practices. The mini-festival programs will include hybrid in-person and digital activities led by members of iCoDaCo collectives and collaborators. 

• All the collectives in iCoDaCo 2024-2027 will present their new collective piece in the mini-festival(s) program which will take place in various geographic locations simultaneously, and therefore will enable interactivity amongst different artists and communities through digital, virtual and hybrid mediums.

Contribution to Collective Knowledge (throughout the project)

• Documenting and sharing the creative process and the journey in iCoDaCo 2024-2027 on the iCoDaCo open access digital platform, and, by doing so, taking part in a collective pool of knowledge and artistic exploration.

• The artists must be willing to deal with digital formats, getting to know them, how to work with and utilize them throughout the project. They must be willing to respond to certain digital and analog formats and mediums, sometimes translating aspects of their own practice into digital forms and documenting how their own practice will be evolving throughout the project. 

Active Role in Media and Communication (throughout the project) 

• The artists will be asked to participate in marketing, communication and PR activities which will enhance the visibility of iCoDaCo both locally and internationally. These activities will also offer the artists visibility as ambassadors of the project across renown dance events and platforms. 

General timeline:

The project commenced in January 2024 and will conclude in September 2027, with the main activities happening as follows 

November 2024 – February 2026: Knowledge production process

The already confirmed dates for the residencies in this part of the project are:

25.11.- 01.12 2024  

03.03 – 16.03 2025  

21.04 – 04.05 2025  

02.06 – 15.06 2025  

15.09 – 28.09 2025

20.10 – 02.11 2025

19.01 – 01.02.2026

16-29.03 2026

Spring 2027: Collective creation processes

Spring – Summer 2027: iCoDaCo mini-festivals 

Throughout the project and in between the periods mentioned above, the artists will be engaging in the community outreach program, professional development and learning activities and some self-driven processes of making their contributions for the iCoDaCo open access digital platform. 

The artists’ engagement will be in periods within the written time frame and is not full time. The specific work periods will be negotiated and agreed upon in communication with the artists and the project partners. 

What We Ask For / requirements from applying:

• From age 18 (at the time of application) with no top age limit. 
• Dancers/Choreographers with a contemporary approach to their practice and to dance. This is not indicating a certain aesthetic of a particular genre rather a dynamic relation with the now. Bringing in a critical lens into the situatedness of dance in artistic, social, political and cultural contexts. This means that they may have developed their contemporary practice through urban dance, folkdance, traditional dance, classical, contemporary or postmodern dance, circus, performance art or any other lineage. 
• Based in Georgia, meaning having the majority of their professional activity and spending the majority of their time residing in Georgia. 
• Availability for the entire mentioned time frame.
• Interest in and willingness to work collectively and jointly with other artists. Open mindedness and curiosity to venture into a truly collective and collaborative process. 
• Interest in working in relation to the current development of contemporary dance practices in local, national and international contexts. 
• With significant experience of dance making and research. 
• The applicants are required to have a substantial professional experience of dance making to facilitate a reciprocal and dynamic exchange with other artists in the project. 
• Also willing and interested in situating their own physical body (performing body) in the work.
• Willing and interested in connecting with people and communities throughout the process through workshops, artist talks, presentations and communication events.
• We encourage dancers and choreographers with different  abilities, background, identity and statuses to apply. 
• A willingness to engage in multiple formats (text, video, sketches, sound files etc) and contribute with content to the iCoDaCo open access digital platform.
• In iCoDaCo the primary working language will be Georgian and English, applicants will need to be comfortable using Georgian and English in the work environment.

Terms and honorarium:

Dancers and choreographers’ working periods:

• 15 weeks of knowledge production and research 
• 6 weeks of collective creation process
• 2 weeks mini-festivals 
• 2-6 weeks of additional community outreach, communication, content creation etc. 

The work weeks will be spread out from November 2024 – June 2027

All the dancers/choreographers in the Georgia-based collective will be paid a flat fee of 280 Gel per week. 

Application Process:

To apply to be one of the eight dancers/choreographers in the Georgia-based collective of iCoDaCo 2024-2027 please fill in the application form (in Georgian or English) where you will be asked to submit the following:

• Biography 
  • Describe the important moments in your professional and training experiences thus far. 
  • Please mention moments and/or experience which you think have influenced your current artistic practice. 
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the iCoDaCo. Please mention why you are submitting this application and why you think it is a good moment in your artistic practice to join a collective research and creation process such as this.  
• Contemporary dance. In what way is your practice contemporary? Is it not contemporary in some way? In what way? In what way is your practice dance? Is it not Dance in some way? In what way? 
• What is your relationship to Georgia? Where are you situated? Where do you work mostly? Are you situated in one place? Do you travel a lot in the country? Do you have contexts in other geographic locations or countries? 
• Now and the near future. What are you currently busy with? What themes occupy your practice or day to day? What do you have lined up in the coming 1-2 years?

Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by 14 of June 2024 at 00:00 (midnight) Georgian time on the following link. 

All applicants will be finally selected by the end of June 2024. The stage of the process will include a conversation with Circe’s director Maka Kiladze and iCoDaCo Georgian Project Manager Nini Shvelidze after the selection. We are aiming to finalize the recruitment process by the beginning of July 2024.  

With any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:

circeplatform@gmail.com

For more information visit www.icodaco.com