Open Call: Dance Umbrella Festival London (7–11 October)

When: Programme from 7–10 October, with travel days on 7 and 11 October 
Where: London, England 
Language: English 

Diversifying Curatorial Stewardship is a major programme led by Dance Umbrella to reimagine who curates dance practices, how curatorial power is held, and how diverse perspectives enrich the future of the artform. 

It responds to a clearly evidenced sector gap: the absence of visible, supported career pathways for curators - particularly Black/Brown Global Majority, predominantly female-identifying and non-binary practitioners - and the resulting lack of diversity within those organisations that shape artistic programmes and narratives. 

Through a combination of structured development pathways, international collaboration, organisational change work and sector advocacy, DCS seeks to create long-lasting impact, ensuring the dance ecology becomes more equitable, connected, imaginative and representative. 

Dance Umbrella is working with several national and international partners to realise the ambition of DCS, including The Performing Arts Fund NL. 

As a participant in this Visiting Artist trip you will have the opportunity to establish or expand your network of fellow artists and programmers, particularly with those based in the UK. You will meet and spend time with Dance Umbrella’s Artistic Director, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, as well as the rest of the Dance Umbrella team. 

You will experience the cultural landscape of London, attend international performances at Dance Umbrella festival that expands the canon of contemporary dance beyond a Western-centric perspective, attend sector-facing events considering wider curatorial perspectives and structural inequality. After the trip, participants are asked to write an evaluation of their visit. 

There will be a further opportunity to travel to the UK in January 2027 to take part in a four-day residency which will include professional development, peer exchange, mentoring, reflection, restorative care and exposure to wider artistic and organisational contexts. This is currently planned for w/c 18 January 2027. 

The programme is a collaboration between Dance Umbrella Festival and Performing Arts Fund NL. 

We are looking for candidates who: 

• Are mid-career dance makers and/ or producers who have experience in or are interested in developing a curatorial practice. 
• Are resident and working in the Netherlands. 
• Are available to participate in the full programme (7–11 October 2026, including travel on 7 and 11 October) and the residency in January 2027. Candidates who cannot commit to the full period are not eligible. 

Please let us know if you require any support as a candidate. We will be happy to explore the possibilities with you. 

DCS centres Global Majority lived experience, international perspectives and meaningful co-created change. We welcome applications from candidates who bring lived experience aligned to the communities DCS is designed to support. 

Train tickets (or flights if you are based in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba), accommodation, per diem, tickets to shows. 

Please note: extending your stay is possible, but at your own cost and arranged independently. 

Would you like to take part in this trip and do you meet the requirements? Please complete the application form. You can choose between: 

• submitting a written motivation in English (max. 1 A4), or  
• a video motivation (max. 2 minutes, no performance material).  

Please submit only one of the two. Add an English CV and, if applicable, a link to your website. Applications must be submitted by 22 June, 09:00 (CEST). 

A maximum of two participants will be selected. The selection of the participants will be made by Dance Umbrella in collaboration with Dutch partner organisations. Applicants will be informed by 20 July.