Europe Beyond Access

ELIA is proud to be part of the project Europe Beyond Access, supporting disabled and/or deaf artists to break the glass ceilings of the contemporary performing arts sector and become Europe's next artistic leaders. 

Europe Beyond Access Open Call for Co-Production is now online!

Are you a deaf and/or disabled artist based in Europe with a passion for dance, choreography, or movement? Do you have experience in leading an artistic process? Europe Beyond Access invites you to apply for co-production support and bring your artistic vision to life! Applications are now open for European deaf and/or disabled artists seeking co-producers for new artistic works based in dance practice, choreography or movement. 

This Open Call is issued by Europe Beyond Access, a consortium of ten leading European dance and performing arts organisations, of which ELIA is a part of. 

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

WHAT WE OFFER
Co-production support of between €15,000 and €40,000 for each project as well as the opportunity for public presentation at two or more of our partners’ venues, companies or festivals. 

WHO CAN APPLY? 
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 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(s) or those working collaboratively. The lead artist(s) must have previous experience with making work in either local, national or international contexts. Proposals can come from either independent artists with or without producer or production support or from artists working with established companies. We are open to receiving project proposals which already have, or will have, other co-producers or support from other funds. This will be inquired about further in the application process. Artists must be residents in countries within 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. 

DEADLINES
The deadline for First Stage applications is 19 May 2024. Following this deadline shortlisted projects will enter into a period of idea development and discussion with the EBA partners. The applicants will then submit a more detailed application in September 2024. A minimum of three new artistic productions or projects will be supported. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 
1) We want to support artists to make more ambitious and innovative work. This could be a first international production and/or a project that includes more collaborators. However, proposals should be achievable and build towards a logical next step in your practice or career. 

2) Works that can be presented at two or more of our partners’ venues or festivals. We are flexible on how the works can be presented but they must be transferrable and flexible to be shown in different locations. 

3) New ideas and projects that are led artistically by deaf and/or disabled artists; projects that are based in dance practice, choreography or movement, or that utilise different disciplines exploring body and motion. 

4) Projects that are presented on stage or in an alternative format (such as film, installation, or site-specific work). 

5) Work of the highest artistic quality. Submitted ideas and projects can be at various stages of development but must not yet be in production. 

There are two separate documents to give you more information: the Open Call itself, and the Co-Production Application Guide. 

Applications need to be submitted via the dedicated Application platform. You can apply in writing, audio via recording or in Sign Language via video.

More information about the Co-Productions and how to apply can be found on the website www.EuropeBeyondAccess.com.