EXPAND — OPEN CALL FOR EMERGING ARTISTS & PRODUCERS IN PERFORMING ARTS

Creative duos (Artist + Producer) | France • Finland • Romania | 12-month capacity-building programme

Are you an emerging artistic team in the performing arts?
Are you curious to understand—and test—the creative potential of XR (extended reality) and AI (artificial intelligence) in live performance contexts?
Do you want to explore new approaches to dramaturgy, production, and audience experience—while joining a European peer network?

– ABOUT EXPAND –
EXPAND (Empowering the Performing Arts with XR and AI Technologies) is a European cooperation project supported by the Creative Europe programme, led by Dark Euphoria (FR) with & Espoo Theatre (FI) and “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre (RO).

What we are looking for

We will select 6 creative duos, each composed of:

one emerging performing arts artist (director, choreographer, playwright, etc.)
one producer (see definition below)

Selected duos will join a 12-month capacity-building programme combining hands-on labs, expert-led training, peer learning, and mentoring—focused on how XR and AI tools can reshape writing, dramaturgy, acting, design, production workflows, and touring models in performing arts.

Important note: this programme is not a production grant.
The aim is not to produce a performance, demo, or finished artwork during the programme.

What you will experience

3 in-person labs + 1 kick-off event

Kick-off during SVSN event “Performing Arts, digital stages” / Avignon Festival (France – 8-10 July 2026) – networking and community building
Lab 1: Espoo (Finland – 7-9 October 2026) – focus on dramaturgy in the age of new technological possibilities
Lab 2: Cannes (France – March 2027) – focus on immersive & interactive technologies (XR, AI, tools, workflows)
Lab 3: Craiova (Romania – 28-30 June 2027) – focus on digital presence & augmented acting

Each lab combines keynotes, workshops, demos, visits, peer-to-peer exchanges and networking.

Online components

6 inspiration talks (international perspectives & practices)
4 one-to-one mentoring sessions (tailored guidance for each duo)

Who can apply?

Both applicants (artist + producer) must be:

Based in: France, Finland, or Romania
Nationals/residents of: one of the 27 EU countries, or a non-EU country participating in Creative Europe (list here)
Proficient in English (spoken and written), as it is the working language of the programme

“Emerging artist” criteria

We will consider the artist eligible as “emerging” if they fit at least two of the following:

Have shown/toured at least 2 works (performances/shows) and no more than 5 in a professional context(as artistic lead)
Have been working professionally in the field for 7 years maximum
Have toured in maximum 3 different countries

What do we mean by “producer”?

In EXPAND, “producer” is understood broadly. You may be, for example:

a producer/production manager or cultural manager within a company or collective
an independent producer or digital expert supporting one or several artists
a programmer/producer within an organisation accompanying creation
a creative producer bridging artistic, technical and organisational aspects (ex: creative technologist, developer, technical designer…)

In all cases, the producer should be actively involved in the duo’s development strategy (planning, partnerships, budgeting/funding strategy, touring/distribution thinking, technical development and feasibility, etc.).[1]

What we offer

Travel, accommodation & per diem for the onsite labs and Avignon kick-off are fully covered by the consortium.
Access to tools and professional environments during workshops (e.g., AI tools, VR/XR equipment, motion capture, game engines—depending on each lab’s setup).
A European peer network of artists, producers and creative technologists, plus exposure to partner ecosystems.

Fees: This is a capacity-building programme ; no artistic fees/stipends are paid to participants.

How to apply

Apply in English via the online application form

Required materials (in English)

Cover letter (duo): motivation, shared vision, what you want to learn and achieve through the programme
Artistic portfolio (artist): full list + documentation (please detail max. 3 works)
CVs: artist CV + producer CV

Shortlisted duos will be invited to a 25-minute online interview.