EXPAND – Open call
EXPAND — OPEN CALL FOR EMERGING ARTISTS & PRODUCERS IN PERFORMING ARTS
Creative duos (Artist + Producer) | France • Finland • Romania | 12-month capacity-building programme
Are you an emerging artistic team in the performing arts? Are you curious to understand — and test — the creative potential of XR (extended reality) and AI (artificial intelligence) in live performance contexts? Do you want to explore new approaches to dramaturgy, production, and audience experience— while joining a European peer network?
ABOUT EXPAND
EXPAND (Empowering the Performing Arts with XR and AI Technologies) is a European cooperation project supported by the Creative Europe programme, led by Dark Euphoria (FR) with & Espoo Theatre (FI) and “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre (RO).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We will select 6 creative duos, each composed of:
- one emerging performing arts artist (director, choreographer, playwright, etc.)
- one producer (see definition below)
Selected duos will join a 12-month capacity-building programme combining hands-on labs, expert-led training, peer learning, and mentoring—focused on how XR and AI tools can reshape writing, dramaturgy, acting, design, production workflows, and touring models in performing arts.
Important note: this programme is not a production grant. The aim is not to produce a performance, demo, or finished artwork during the programme.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
3 in-person labs + 1 kick-off event
- Kick-off during SVSN event “Performing Arts, digital stages” / Avignon Festival (France - 8-10 July 2026) – networking and community building
- Lab 1: Espoo (Finland - 7-9 October 2026) – focus on dramaturgy in the age of new technological possibilities
- Lab 2: Cannes (France - March 2027) – focus on immersive & interactive technologies (XR, AI, tools, workflows)
- Lab 3: Craiova (Romania - 28-30 June 2027) – focus on digital presence & augmented acting
Each lab combines keynotes, workshops, demos, visits, peer-to-peer exchanges and networking.
ONLINE COMPONENTS
6 inspiration talks (international perspectives & practices)
4 one-to-one mentoring sessions (tailored guidance for each duo)
WHO CAN APPLY
Both applicants (artist + producer) must be:
- Based in: France, Finland, or Romania
- Nationals/residents of: one of the 27 EU countries, or a non-EU country participating in Creative Europe (list here)
- Proficient in English (spoken and written), as it is the working language of the programme
“EMERGING ARTIST" CRITERIA
- We will consider the artist eligible as “emerging” if they fit at least two of the following:
- Have shown/toured at least 2 works (performances/shows) and no more than 5 in a professional context (as artistic lead)
- Have been working professionally in the field for 7 years maximum
- Have toured in maximum 3 different countries
WHAT WE MEAN BY "PRODUCER"
In EXPAND, “producer” is understood broadly. You may be, for example:
- a producer/production manager or cultural manager within a company or collective
- an independent producer or digital expert supporting one or several artists
- a programmer/producer within an organisation accompanying creation
- a creative producer bridging artistic, technical and organisational aspects (ex: creative technologist, developer, technical designer…)
In all cases, the producer should be actively involved in the duo’s development strategy (planning, partnerships, budgeting/funding strategy, touring/distribution thinking, technical development and feasibility, etc.).
WHAT WE OFFER
- Travel, accommodation & per diem for the onsite labs and Avignon kick-off are fully covered by the consortium.
- Access to tools and professional environments during workshops (e.g., AI tools, VR/XR equipment, motion capture, game engines—depending on each lab’s setup).
- A European peer network of artists, producers and creative technologists, plus exposure to partner ecosystems.
Fees: This is a capacity-building programme; no artistic fees/stipends are paid to participants.
REQUIRED MATERIALS (in English)
- Cover letter (duo): motivation, shared vision, what you want to learn and achieve through the programme
- Artistic portfolio (artist): full list + documentation (please detail max. 3 works)
- CVs: artist CV + producer CV
Shortlisted duos will be invited to a 25-minute online interview.
TIMELINE
- Feb 20, 2026: Open call launch
- Mar 20, 2026 (22:59 CET / 23:59 EET): Deadline
- Before Apr 17, 2026: Shortlist notification
- Apr 20–22, 2026: Online interviews
