Aerowaves Dance Artist Open Call 2026

Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

Aerowaves is a European platform that supports emerging choreographers by selecting and promoting contemporary dance works for international exposure, touring opportunities, and professional development. It connects artists with a network of European presenters through the Aerowaves Twenty selection and Spring Forward Festival, offering performance programming, visibility, and year-long promotion. Eligible applicants must be based in geographical Europe and submit completed, tour-ready works.

Aerowaves — Emerging Choreographers Opportunity

Aerowaves is a Europe-wide dance network designed to identify, promote, and support early-career contemporary choreographers. The platform acts as a bridge between emerging artists and professional presenters across Europe, enabling wider circulation of innovative choreographic works.

The initiative focuses on:

• International exposure for emerging dance artists
• Touring and performance opportunities across Europe
• Artistic visibility through curated promotion
• Professional development and career growth in contemporary dance

Core Objectives and Focus Areas

Support for Emerging Choreographers

• Targets early-career and developing contemporary dance makers
• Encourages innovation in choreographic expression
• Prioritizes artists with limited international touring exposure

International Programming Network

• Connects artists with ~100 European partner organisations
• Enables potential programming and touring opportunities
• Facilitates cross-border artistic exchange

Visibility and Promotion

Selected artists receive:

• Year-long online artist profiles
• Promotion via Aerowaves platforms and social media
• Inclusion in curated performance announcements
• Visibility through partner networks and press exposure

Performance Opportunities

• Selection into Aerowaves Twenty
• Participation in the Spring Forward Festival
• Access to curated European touring opportunities
• Opportunities for short-format works suitable for flexible venues

Aerowaves Twenty & Spring Forward Festival

Aerowaves Twenty

• Annual selection of standout emerging choreographers
• Provides access to European touring opportunities
• Highlights innovative and high-quality contemporary dance works

Spring Forward Festival

• Major annual showcase event
• Brings together selected choreographers and European presenters
• Offers live performance exposure and networking opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

Geographic Requirement

• Applicants must be resident in geographical Europe
• Works must be created and performed within Europe

Work Requirements

• One completed work per application cycle
• Duration: 15 to 40 minutes
• Must be a finished, publicly performed piece
• Works in progress are not accepted
• Previously submitted works cannot be resubmitted

Artist Requirements

• Not currently enrolled in professional dance training programs
• Works created during training may be eligible if professionally presented afterward
• Must provide full technical submission materials in English

Technical & Format Requirements

• Video recording of the work required
• Documentation and supporting materials must be provided
• Works should be adaptable to:
  • Simple technical setups
  • Non-traditional performance spaces
  • Outdoor or touring-friendly environments

Selection Criteria

Aerowaves evaluates submissions based on artistic and practical considerations:

Artistic Quality

• Strong conceptual foundation
• Clear choreographic intention
• Originality and innovation
• Structural coherence in composition

Performance Quality

• Energy and commitment of performers
• Clarity of movement language
• Artistic presence and execution

Touring Suitability

• Works must be adaptable for limited technical conditions
• Preference for compact, flexible productions
• Suitable for touring across different European venues

Career Development Potential

• Artists with limited international exposure are prioritized
• Works showing potential for growth and further development
• Alignment with Aerowaves’ mission of emerging talent support

Why Aerowaves Matters

Aerowaves plays a key role in the European contemporary dance ecosystem by:

• Providing access to international stages for emerging artists
• Supporting cross-border cultural exchange in Europe
• Increasing visibility of new choreographic voices
• Enabling touring opportunities for small and mid-scale works
• Strengthening early-career professional pathways in dance

It is particularly valuable for choreographers seeking international recognition without major institutional backing.

How the Opportunity Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Application Submission

Artists submit:

• Completed choreography (15–40 minutes)
• Video recording of the performance
• Written documentation in English

Step 2 — Eligibility Check

• Verification of geographic and technical requirements
• Confirmation of completed work status
• Review of submission completeness

Step 3 — Artistic Evaluation

• Panel reviews choreographic quality
• Focus on originality, clarity, and artistic strength

Step 4 — Selection of Aerowaves Twenty

• Selected artists become part of the annual Aerowaves Twenty cohort
• Works are promoted across the network

Step 5 — Touring & Exposure

• Selected works may be programmed by partner organizations
• Artists gain performance opportunities across Europe
• Participation in promotional campaigns and festivals

Key Benefits for Selected Artists

• International performance opportunities (~100 annually across network)
• Inclusion in Aerowaves touring ecosystem
• Year-long digital promotion and visibility
• Access to Spring Forward Festival showcase
• Long-term career development support

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

• Submitting works in progress instead of finished pieces
• Ignoring duration requirements (15–40 minutes rule)
• Poor-quality or incomplete video documentation
• Overly complex technical requirements unsuitable for touring
• Weak articulation of choreographic intent
• Resubmitting previously rejected or submitted works

Tips for a Strong Application

• Ensure work is fully completed and professionally presented
• Use clear, high-quality performance video recordings
• Highlight conceptual clarity and artistic intent
• Keep staging and technical setup minimal and adaptable
• Emphasize originality and choreographic innovation
• Ensure documentation is complete and in English

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Aerowaves?

Aerowaves is a European dance network that supports emerging choreographers through selection, promotion, and touring opportunities.

Who can apply?

Choreographers residing in geographical Europe with completed contemporary dance works.

What type of work is accepted?

Finished contemporary choreography lasting 15–40 minutes, already publicly performed.

Are works in progress accepted?

No, only completed and publicly presented works are eligible.

What is Aerowaves Twenty?

It is the annual selection of emerging choreographers chosen for international promotion and touring opportunities.

What is the Spring Forward Festival?

It is an annual event where selected Aerowaves artists present their work to international audiences and presenters.

What are the main benefits of selection?

Artists gain international exposure, touring opportunities, promotional visibility, and professional development support.

Conclusion

Aerowaves is a major European platform for emerging choreographers seeking international recognition and performance opportunities. By selecting high-quality contemporary dance works and promoting them through its network, Aerowaves helps artists gain visibility, tour across Europe, and develop their careers through structured artistic support and global exposure.

For more information, visit Aerowaves.