Open Call for Europe Beyond Access Coproductions

European Open Call for Deaf and/or disabled artists who are seeking co-producers for new artistic works based in dance practice, choreography or movement.

Are you a Deaf and/or disabled artist based in Europe with a passion for dance, choreography, or movement? Do you have experience of leading an artistic process? Europe Beyond Access invites you to apply for co-production support to bring your artistic vision to life!

Further information about the co-productions and the application modalities can be found on the website.

Introduction Key dates

This Open Call is issued by the partners of Europe Beyond Access ("EBA").

EBA is run by a group of ten European dance and performing arts organisations. They include dance venues, multi-art form venues, dance companies and festivals.

The partners want to support the creation of new works that are suitable for touring internationally by Deaf and/or disabled artists from across Europe.

We want to support artists to make more ambitious and innovative work.

A minimum of three new artistic productions/projects will be supported. Each project will receive co-production support of between €15,000 and €40,000.

Each project will be presented by two or more of our partners’ venues, companies or festivals.

In the first step of the application, we only ask you for a simple Expression of Interest.

More information is given in the separate EBA Co-Production Application Guide.

Key dates

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

• 19 March 2024: Launch of the Open Call
  
• 04 April 2024 (XX TIME): Optional Information Webinar for Applicants. The webinar recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkw9u4ffVcs&t=2s
• 15 April: Publication of responses to "Frequently Asked Questions" on the EBA website
• 19 May 2024, 23:59 CEST: Deadline for Expressions of Interest
• 24 June 2024: Applicants notified whether they have been shortlisted.

• July / August 2024: Shortlisted applicants meet online with project partners.
• Idea and budget development.
• 18 September 2024, 23:59 CEST: Deadline for final applications.
• 27 October 2024: Co-productions announced, and unsuccessful applicants receive notification and feedback

Co-production & presentation

• November 2024 onwards: Development and Pre-production
• 2025-2026: Rehearsals and Production (dates dependent on chosen projects)
• September 2025 to June 2027: Presentation at EBA Partner venues / festivals (dates dependent on chosen work)

Who can apply?

We use both the term "artist with disability" and the term "disabled artist". We are aware that different countries and languages use different terminology. We are aware that different people define themselves in different ways, and that people self-define as they prefer.

Our approach is based on social model of disability which recognises that people are disabled by attitudinal and environmental barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference.

If you self-define as Deaf or disabled, you are eligible to apply.

EBA Co-productions must be led by one or more Deaf and/or disabled artists, or productions may be led by collectives that include disabled artists in equal positions of leadership.

The application itself must be made by the Deaf and/or disabled lead artist or artists, or those working collaboratively.

The lead artist(s) must have previous experience of making work, in either local, national or international contexts.

Proposals can come from independent artists with or without a producer or production support*; or proposals can come from artists working with established companies.

We are open to receiving project proposals which have already, or will have, other co-producers or support from other funds. We will ask you about this in the application process.

Artists must be resident in one of the countries of the European Union, or in any of the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Tunisia, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

*Individual artists without a producer or production support please refer to the EBA Co-Production Application Guide for more information on how this co-production could work for you and what you will need to complete this application.

What are we looking for?

We want to support artists to make more ambitious and innovative work. This could be a first international production and/or include more collaborators for example. However, proposals should be achievable and be a logical next step in your practice or career.

We are looking for new works that can be presented at two or more of our partners’ venues, companies or festivals. We are flexible on how the works can be presented but they must be suitable to be shown in different locations.

We are looking for new ideas and projects that are:

• Led artistically by Deaf and/or disabled artists
• Based in dance practice, choreography or movement, or in multidisciplinary projects that explore body and motion
• Presented on stage or in an alternative format (for example film, installation or site-specific)
• Of the highest artistic quality
• Treating accessibility as part of the artistic practice
• Taking care of the needs of the artists involved in the creative process

Submitted ideas and projects can be at various stages of development but must not yet be in production.

What budget is available?

We offer Co-Production financial support of between €15,000 and €40,000 per project for you to make your work.

Separate fees for the presentation of your work at our partner venues and festivals will be negotiated during our selection process. The selection process will consider the affordability of the finished works for presentations by our partners.

The EBA Co-production support can be used to cover the total project costs or form just part of them.

In the first stage of application, we will ask for an estimated project budget which should include any other income (secured already, or to be secured in the future). A more detailed budget will be needed in the second stage of the application process. We will provide budget development support if you are shortlisted for the second stage.

The estimated project budget for the first step of the application process – the Expression of Interest - should consider:

• Artists, collaborators and staff fees (who must all be paid a fair wage)
• It should include the cost of any local taxes necessary when engaging your team
• Set/props/costume
• Intellectual and artistic property rights
• Your team’s access costs
• Accommodation, subsistence and travel, if necessary, when making of the work
• Rehearsal space if necessary
• Technical hire costs
• Insurance
• Any other costs related to creating work in your local context

EBA-presentations of your work:

If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to discuss the possible locations and dates for the presentation of your work. These discussions will include asking you to estimate the expected costs for presenting and touring your work.

Fees, accommodation, subsistence and travel will be covered by the presenting/host partners. Marketing and audience development costs related to the public outcomes presented in their venues, events and festivals will be covered by the partners.

How to apply?

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 19th May 2024, 23:59 CEST.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted using the EBA Co-Production Application Form: https://accessiblesurveys.com/survey/-NsDewRzz_ZnankmZFMe/welcome.

The EBA partners will shortlist up to six projects to take to STEP 2.

If you are shortlisted, you will then meet online with the partners interested in your project. You will be asked to develop your ideas and to submit a more detailed budget. You will be given support in this process.

You will also be given a stipend of €750 to help devote time to the process. This can be used to pay for assistance such as an experienced producer to look at your budget, or to pay for Access Costs.

Shortlisted artists will be asked to submit a final application by 18 September 2024, 23.59 CEST.

Making the application process accessible:

Expressions of Interests must be submitted using the dedicated platform: https://accessiblesurveys.com/survey/-NsDewRzz_ZnankmZFMe/welcome.

The application platform is specifically designed to support access. It allows for Written, Audio or Sign Language Video Applications.

If you have any additional access requirements that we have not covered in the call out, please email us to info@europebeyondaccess.com.

Written applications can be made in any national language. However, only applications written in the following languages will have a human correct the A.I. translation of your application into English for the selection panel:

• Catalan
• Dutch
• English
• French
• German
• Greek
• Italian
• Irish
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Spanish
• Swedish
• Ukrainian

We cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations of applications submitted in languages not in the list above.

Applications in sign language can only be received in one of the following sign languages or in International Sign;

• British Sign Language
• Catalan Sign Language
• Dutch Sign Language
• French Sign Language
• German Sign Language
• Greek Sign Language
• Italian Sign Language
• Irish Sign Language
• Norwegian Sign Language
• Polish Sign Language
• Portuguese Sign Language
• Spanish Sign Language
• Swedish Sign Language
• Ukrainian Sign Language

Webinar

There will be an online Information Webinar for applicants to help explain the EBA Co-productions in more detail. The Webinar will be held in English, with International Sign, English Captions, and Captions translated via AI into other European Languages.

Question 1

Please introduce yourself or your group/company as an artist or creative entity. Provide insights into your past works, experiences, and achievements. Please include a link to a website, brochure, or any media showcasing your previous projects.

(Limit: 300 words or a 2-minute video/audio recording)

• Here we want to know what experience you have in making works.
• We will use this information to learn about artists and companies that we don’t already know.
• We will also use this information to find out if you have the relevant experience to lead the project you are proposing.
• We want you to include information about yourself as the lead artist (or artists), for example your biography. But you should also include information here about the company if you are applying with a company.
• If you propose to lead the project collaboratively with others, tell us about that here.
• Tell us how long you have been making work and tell us about the types of work you have madein the past.
• You must include one or two links to a website, brochure, video or audio file showing us previous work that you have made. We will accept a maximum of two links. Please ensure that you include any passwords necessary to access the video.

Question 2

Describe the creative concept or idea you wish to pursue and seek support for.

(Limit: 300 words or a 2-minute video/audio recording)

• Here we want you to excite us about your project
• Tell us about your Creative Idea
• We want to know what the project will be
• What inspires you and your ideas behind it
• Why you want to make this work now and why it is important to you
• How you will ensure your project will be of the highest artistic quality

Question 3

Explain your proposed approach, methodology, or creative process for realising this idea. How do you intend to bring this project to life?

(Limit: 300 Words or 2 minutes video / audio recording)

• We want to hear about your process, approach, methods or ways of working
• Here you can describe your existing working methods but also new ones you would like to use during this production.

Question 4

Detail how you envision presenting the public outcome of your project. Discuss the format, setting, or any specific aspects relevant to its presentation.

(Limit: 150 Words or 1 minute video / audio recording)

• We are interested in the way in which the content of the project is to be conveyed, shaped or presented
• This could be a dance performance in a Studio Theatre / Black Box, but it could also have another form: for example, a photographic exhibition of dancers’ work, a dance film, performance lecture, community-based working process, site specific/sited work, an immersive experience, audio-based installation, artistic intervention in a public space, etc
• Help us understand what our audiences will experience

Question 5

Outline the involvement of other artists and collaborators, such as dancers, filmmakers, composers, or designers, in your project. How many collaborators do you plan to work with, and what roles will they play?

(Limit: 300 Words or 2 minutes video / audio recording)

• Here, we want to know who will be part of the team making the work?
• Tell us about the roles needed in the project
• Will you work with dancers, how many? Will you collaborate with a videographer or a photographer for example? If you don't already know the answers to all these questions - that's OK. These are just supporting questions
• Help us understand the team you will build to make your project happen
• If you are planning a project that takes you out of your usual practice as artistic leader, tell us here how your team will support you in your new role.
• For example, if you are making a much bigger work than you have made before, is there anyone in your team you can turn to for advice during the project? Could you include a role for an experienced dramaturg or mentor?
• If you know the people you want to work with, tell us who they are here. Have they agreed to be part of the project if you are successful, or are they people you would like to ask?
• If you don’t know who you want to work with, tell us how you plan to assemble the team.

Question 6

Describe how the project will be produced. Do you already have a producer, co-producer or production support in place, or do you require assistance in this regard?

(Limit: 150 Words or 1 minute video / audio recording)

• We want to feel secure that your project will be delivered on time, and within the budget agreed.
• We want to know more about how you plan to produce your work and what you might need. If you have a producer or production support already then tell us about this here.
• If you don’t have a producer or production support already, tell us about this here and how you might find someone to help you
• Do you need support with finding someone to do the administration throughout the collaboration (this needs to be included in your budget)? If your project is selected, we might be able to connect or recommend some producers from within our networks or support you to find one.

Question 7

Indicate the level of financial contribution from EBA, for your project.

a) From €15,000 to €25,000

b) From €25,000 to €35,000

c) From €35,000 to €40,000

• The EBA co-production support can fund part, or all, of your project costs.
• This figure should be the total amount required as EBA co-production to make the work.
• Projects seeking €15k-€25k will need the support and interest of at least 2 partners. Projects seeking €25k-€35k will need the support and interest of at least 3 partners. Projects seeking €35k-€40k will need the support and interest of at least 4 partners.
• Competition is therefore higher for the larger amounts.
• We acknowledge that the co-production contributions are not large in some geographic contexts. For instance, in Norway or Sweden it will only be possible to make smaller works if EBA is paying the full production costs. However, in other countries the contribution will allow for more ambitious projects.

Question 8

Provide an estimated overview of the project's total income and expenditure. This should include any secured income or planned funding sources.

(Limit: 150 Words Maximum or 1 minute video / audio recording)

• Here we would like to get an indication of the scale of your project
• Costs that you might include (but are not limited to) are yours and your collaborators’ fees, rehearsal space/studio hire, any accommodation and travel (for the rehearsal and production period), fees for mentors or outside eye support, materials and any access needs for you and your collaborators.
• For example, if you want to work with a dancer from another country, you must include travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for rehearsals within the budget. Or if you are working with a filmmaker and need to hire equipment, this should be included in the total.
• Partners also have a separate budget for Audience Access – for example to pay for sign language interpreting for audiences, or for captioning.

Question 9

If additional funds are needed for your project, what is your plan to raise them? Do you have other co-producers lined up, or are you planning to approach national funding bodies or other sources for support?

(150 Words Maximum or 1 minute video / audio recording)

• You might want to create a larger more ambitious work which needs more supporting that the contribution from EBA partners. We want to hear your plans for raising this funding.
• We would also like to hear about any previous experience of fund raising you have.
• This is also the place where you can write in your own funds (if you have any) that you want to use to finance the project.
• Having additional financing (beyond the EBA contribution) is not required.