Open Call | Europe Beyond Access Co-Productions

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 organizations. 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.

KEY DATES

STEP 1―Expression of Interest (EOI)

• 19 March 2024: Launch of the Open Call
• 4 April 2024 (3:00 p.m.): Optional Information Webinar for Applicants:

Register for the Webinar here. Webinar recording will be made available on the website, www.EuropeBeyondAccess.com

• 29 April 2024: Publication of responses to “Frequently Asked Questions” on the EBA website
• 19 May 2024, 23:59 CEST: Deadline for Expressions of Interest
• 28 June 2024: Applicants notified whether they have been shortlisted

STEP 2―Development of ideas and full application

• 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 recognizes 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, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.

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

WHAT WE ARE 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.

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.

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.

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 - 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

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

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

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.

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.