Deadline: 12-Aug-2026
The K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme is accepting applications for a paid eight-month residency supporting emerging and early mid-career choreographers from around the world. The programme provides financial support, studio access, production funding, mentorship, and professional development to help participants research and create a full-length choreographic work in Hamburg, Germany.
Three selected choreographers will participate in the residency from August 2027 to April 2028, receiving a monthly scholarship, production support, and opportunities for artistic collaboration, audience engagement, and professional networking.
Overview of the K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme
The K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme is an international residency designed to support choreographers in the early stages of their professional careers.
The programme offers dedicated time, resources, and mentorship for artists to:
- Develop original choreographic research
- Produce a full-length performance
- Strengthen professional skills
- Collaborate with fellow artists
- Engage with audiences
- Expand artistic practice
The residency encourages experimentation and innovation across a wide range of choreographic disciplines.
Purpose of the Residency
The programme aims to:
- Support emerging choreographers
- Encourage artistic research and experimentation
- Develop new choreographic productions
- Strengthen professional development
- Foster artistic collaboration and exchange
- Build connections between artists and audiences
- Promote sustainable choreographic practice
Residency Focus Areas
The residency supports projects across all choreographic fields, including:
- Contemporary choreography
- Dance performance
- Artistic research
- Choreographic practice
- Artistic production
- Dance for young audiences
- Public space performances
- Dance film
- Audience engagement
- Professional artistic development
- Self-organised artistic practice
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects that expand choreographic practice.
Residency Duration and Location
The residency will take place:
- Duration: August 2027 to April 2028
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
During the residency, selected choreographers will research, develop, and produce a full-length choreographic work.
Although K3 and Kampnagel will undergo renovations during the 2027–2028 season, participants will continue to have access to studio spaces, while final performances will be presented in theatres across Hamburg or alternative non-theatrical venues.
Financial Support
Selected residents will receive financial assistance throughout the residency.
Support includes:
- Monthly scholarship for living expenses
- Accommodation support in Hamburg
- One-time travel costs to and from the participant’s place of residence
- Visa and administrative assistance (where required)
During the 2025–2026 season, the scholarship amounted to €2,500 per month. The scholarship amount for the 2027–2028 residency will be announced later.
Additional Benefits
Residents will also receive:
- Access to K3 rehearsal studios
- Production budget for final performances
- Dramaturgical support
- Technical assistance
- Organisational support
- Public relations and communication support
These resources help participants successfully develop and present their work.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
K3 is committed to making the residency accessible.
Support may include:
- Accessibility-related costs
- Assistance with care-related expenses (where possible)
The programme actively works to reduce barriers to participation.
Who Is Eligible?
Applications are welcome from choreographers worldwide.
Applicants must:
- Be at the beginning of their professional careers
- Be between emerging and early mid-career stages
- Have completed several choreographic works outside formal education
- Have experience producing their own work
- Be able to work independently
Formal dance education is not required.
Portfolio Requirements
Applicants must provide:
- Up to four video links
- Full-length choreographic works they have created
The submitted work should demonstrate artistic experience and choreographic practice.
Residency Participation Requirements
Applicants must:
- Live in Hamburg for the entire residency period (August 2027–April 2028)
- Participate in K3 outreach programmes
- Attend programme events
- Engage with fellow artists and audiences
- Show interest in critical and discursive discussions about choreography
Applications are accepted only from individual artists.
Teams, companies, and ensembles are not eligible.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply?
The programme particularly encourages applications from:
- People with disabilities
- Artists from marginalized communities
- Choreographers with migration backgrounds
- Refugees
- Artists without formal dance education
- Practitioners from diverse dance traditions
- Independent choreographers from all countries
Why This Residency Matters
Early-career choreographers often face limited opportunities for long-term artistic research.
The K3 residency provides:
- Time for experimentation
- Stable financial support
- Professional mentoring
- International networking
- Opportunities for public presentation
- Sustainable artistic development
The eight-month structure allows artists to move beyond short production schedules and develop ambitious creative work.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a complete application demonstrating artistic experience and future potential.
Step 1: Develop Your Artistic Project
Prepare a proposal explaining:
- Artistic concept
- Research goals
- Choreographic approach
- Expected outcomes
Step 2: Prepare Your Portfolio
Include:
- Up to four video links
- Full-length choreographic works
- Evidence of previous artistic projects
Step 3: Demonstrate Professional Experience
Describe:
- Previous choreographic productions
- Independent artistic practice
- Collaborative experience
- Research interests
Step 4: Confirm Residency Availability
Applicants should confirm their ability to:
- Relocate to Hamburg
- Participate throughout the eight-month residency
- Engage fully in programme activities
Step 5: Submit the Application
Complete the application according to programme guidelines before the deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting work created only within an educational programme.
- Applying as a group, company, or ensemble instead of as an individual.
- Providing incomplete or low-quality video documentation.
- Failing to demonstrate independent choreographic experience.
- Not explaining the artistic research objectives.
- Ignoring residency participation requirements.
Tips for a Strong Application
To strengthen your application:
- Present a clear artistic vision.
- Highlight independent choreographic achievements.
- Select high-quality video examples.
- Demonstrate openness to collaboration and experimentation.
- Explain how the residency will contribute to your professional development.
- Show interest in audience engagement and artistic dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency?
Emerging and early mid-career choreographers from any country who have already created several independent choreographic works may apply.
Is formal dance education required?
No. Formal dance education is not required.
How long is the residency?
The residency runs for eight months, from August 2027 to April 2028.
What financial support is provided?
Residents receive a monthly scholarship, travel support, visa assistance where required, studio access, production funding, and professional support.
How many choreographers will be selected?
Three choreographers will be selected for the 2027–2028 residency.
Can dance companies or teams apply?
No. Applications are accepted only from individual choreographers.
Which artistic disciplines are supported?
The residency supports all choreographic fields, including contemporary dance, dance for young audiences, public space performances, dance film, interdisciplinary choreography, and artistic research.
Conclusion
The K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme offers an exceptional opportunity for emerging choreographers to advance their artistic careers through an eight-month fully supported residency in Germany. With financial assistance, studio access, mentorship, production support, and international networking opportunities, the programme enables artists to develop ambitious choreographic work while strengthening their professional practice and contributing to the global contemporary dance community.
For more information, visit K3 Tanzplan Hamburg.