Open Call for Dance Artists
Spring 2027
Event details
Trinity Laban’s BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance programme is seeking to commission a new dance work for young audience lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes. We have previously commissioned artists such as Takeshi Matsumoto and Xenia Aidonopoulou.
We welcome applications from individual artists or collectives at all stages of their careers, working across contemporary dance and a wider range of movement-based practices and genres.
The successful applicant will receive a commission of £3750, based on Trinity Laban’s hourly teaching rates. Trinity Laban will also provide costume and production support.
The commissioned work will be created in collaboration with and performed by our third-year BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance students during an intensive five-week rehearsal and production period from 5 January to 5 February 2027.
As part of the creative process, the commissioned artist and student performers will visit a local primary school to share early ideas with pupils and gather their responses. These insights will help inform and shape the development of the work.
The work will premiere at Trinity Laban before touring to local primary schools.
Following initial performances, a member of Trinity Laban’s Dance Faculty will oversee the tour. The work should therefore be designed to maintain a high standard of performance while being adaptable for touring without dedicated production support.
Apply by Friday 25 September 2026
Attend our online information session on Monday 14 September 2026, 17:00 BST
Eligibility & how to apply
We welcome applications from individual artists or collectives at all stages of their careers, working across contemporary dance and a wider range of movement-based practices and genres. If you are applying as a collective we need to receive your application from a nominated lead artist.
We are looking for artists with innovative ideas to create work that will captivate young audiences. Applicants will have a track record of creating work for children and will have some experience of teaching within Higher Education.
Artists must be over the age of 21 and able to work in the UK, registered as self-employed with a UTR number.
A panel of Trinity Laban students and staff will select the successful artist. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 23rd October. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Application Deadline: Friday, 25th September 2026.
We cannot accept applications we receive after this date.
Please submit your application here.
Schedule & fee
Schedule
From 5 January to 5 February 2027 rehearsals will take place on 4 afternoons per week on the following dates:
- Tue 5 – Fri 8 Jan, 13:30 – 18:00
- Tue 12 – Fri 15 Jan, 13:30 – 18:00
- Tue 19 – Fri 22 Jan, 13:30 – 18:00
- Tue 26 – Fri 29 Jan, 13:30 – 18:00
Production activity such as technical and dress rehearsals and performances will take place from 1 to 5 February 2027.
Fee
The successful applicant will receive a commission of £3750, based on Trinity Laban’s hourly teaching rates. Trinity Laban will also provide costume and production support. We are unable to provide payment for any further expenses such as for travel or production if artists choose to include additional elements.
The fee covers the commissioned artist’s time for rehearsals, production, meetings and contribution to student assessment.
The commissioned artist will be required to attend a meeting with the Programme Leader before the project, liaise with production and costume support as required during the project, and a debriefing meeting once the project is completed (either in person or online).
The commissioned artist will also contribute to the student assessment process by providing brief comments on individual student progress and achievement under the guidance of a dedicated dance faculty member.
Attend online info session
Our online information session will take place on Monday 14 September 2026 at 17:00. If you wish to attend, please email opencall@trinitylaban.ac.uk to register and we will send you an online meeting link.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the application process please email our team on opencall@trinitylaban.ac.uk. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications we are unable to look at draft applications.