Open Call 2027–2028: Co-production for Children and Youth

Dance Collaboration Southern Sweden (DSS) is a collaboration among the six southernmost regions—Blekinge, Halland, Jönköping County, Kalmar County, Kronoberg, and Skåne—with the goal of strengthening the art of dance through collaboration, artistic development, and increased access to dance for audiences.

Through this initiative, we aim to create long-term conditions for a new production to develop from concept to finished performance. The project includes residencies at several of our partner organizations, production support, and a subsequent tour throughout southern Sweden.

We are seeking a project of high artistic quality that aims to develop a performance for children in the ages 8–11 years old. The production should be designed for a young audience and suitable for presentation in a performance space, such as a traditional theatre stage or a black box. It should also contribute to strengthening the professional dance sector in Southern Sweden through collaboration between artists, producers and presenters.

During the residency periods, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the performance together with our partner organizations, test ideas in different settings, and engage with staff and audiences through open sharing of the creative process.

Below you’ll find information about who can apply, the criteria, what’s offered, and how to apply.

About Dance Collaboration Southern Sweden network

Dance Collaboration Southern Sweden is a collaboration between Skånes Dansteater, Region Jönköping – Kulturhuset Spira, Byteatern Kalmar Länsteater, Regionteatern Blekinge Kronoberg, and Rum för Dans (Halland). Together, we work to strengthen the art of dance in Southern Sweden through co-productions, tours, artistic exchanges, and long-term collaborations across regional borders.

Information

The application can be completed in Swedish or English.

Processing of Personal Data

By submitting your application, you consent to Danssamverkan Sydsverige processing the personal data and materials provided in order to administer the application and carry out the selection process.

Materials and personal data will be retained only for the time necessary to process the application and carry out the project.

Use of Submitted Materials:

• The application, video material, and other attachments will be used solely for the selection process.
• Photographs and other communication materials will be used externally only if the project is selected, and in that case, through the communication channels of Danssamverkan Sydsverige and its partner organizations.

Production Parameters

Target Audience: 8–11 years

Format: The performance must be suitable for staging in a theater space/black box.

Duration: 30–45 minutes. We would like to see some form of interactivity or engagement with the audience.

Who is eligible to apply?

You may apply if:

• you are a professional dancer or run a professional performing arts project,
• the project’s primary artistic focus is dance,
• you are active and have a direct connection to one of the DSS regions: Blekinge, Halland, Jönköping County, Kalmar County, Kronoberg, Skåne,
• you have a corporate identification number or conduct professional activities through a company or other legal entity.

“Professional” means holding a degree in the field or having documented professional experience with your primary source of income coming from the professional performing arts sector.

The project may be in an early development phase or in the production phase.

The application must include

A project description, an artistic concept, a preliminary timeline, a budget, CVs for participants and a video link presenting the project or the artistic work (a teaser is not sufficient as a basis for evaluation).

Selection Criteria

The selection will be made by the management group of Danssamverkan Sydsverige based on the following criteria: artistic quality, relevance to the target audience, feasibility, potential for a tour throughout Southern Sweden, how the project contributes to the development of the dance field in Southern Sweden and ability to collaborate and willingness to work together with partner organizations.

Important Dates

• Call for Proposals: September 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: October 20, 2026
• Notification: December 2026

Regions

Residences and activities are limited to southern Sweden: Halland, Skåne, Kronoberg, Blekinge, Kalmar län, and Jönköpings län.

Residency Periods and Locations

8-week residency in 2027 – residency periods:

Weeks 31–32, 2027 – Rum för Dans, Kungsbacka Theater, technical residency

The residency at Kungsbacka Theater focuses on the technical development of the production. The residency offers:

• Access to Kungsbacka Theater’s stage and technical equipment.
• Technical guidance and support from the theater’s technical staff. We are not responsible for lighting and sound design or set design.
• The opportunity to develop and test lighting, sound, set design, and other technical solutions ahead of the premiere and tour.
• Time for stage adaptation, run-throughs, and technical preparation.
• A process-sharing session for the host organization’s staff 12th August 2027.
• The technical residency aims to provide the production with favorable conditions ahead of the upcoming tour with Danssamverkan Sydsverige.

Weeks 42–43, 2027 18–29 October 2027 – Skånes Dansteater, studio residency

• Venue: Access to a large studio Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00. Access on certain evenings until 20:00 and during the weekend may also be available by prior arrangement.
• Performances: Tickets to performances presented at Skånes Dansteater during the residency period are included for the entire team.
• Work-in-progress sharing: A sharing session is requested at the end of the residency period.
• Support during the residency: The residency project manager will follow the work and can provide support when needed, for example by organising a test audience.
• Other: Daily company class with Skånes Dansteater is available if desired.

Week 47, 2027 – Kulturhuset Spira, studioresidecy at Värnamo

• Venue: Access to a studio for a studio residency. Further information about the venue and available hours will be provided at a later stage.
• Contact person: A contact person will be available on site during the residency period.
• Facilities: Access to a staff room for lunch.
• Accommodation and travel: Accommodation and travel costs may be covered, provided that the choreographer or group engages with local dancers—for example, by teaching a class or inviting them into the artistic process. If the residency does not include this type of exchange, these costs unfortunately cannot be covered.
• Work-in-progress sharing: A sharing session for dance professionals in Jönköping County is requested during or at the end of the residency period.

Weeks 48–49, 2027 (6–13 December) – Regionteatern Blekingen Kronoberg, residency in Karlshamn

• The residency participants will have access to the venue Stora at Lokstallarna for one week, from Sunday to Sunday.
• Access to the venue: 08:00–22:00. The residency participants will receive an access tag, allowing them to enter and leave the venue independently during these hours.
• Venue: Stora
• Technical equipment: A basic range of sound and lighting equipment will be available.
• Technical staff: A general technician will be available throughout the residency week.
• Public showing: On the Friday of the residency week, the artists are expected to present an open work-in-progress showing for an invited audience. The showing should last no longer than one hour.

Flexible dates 2027 – Byteatern Kalmar Länsteater, Studio residency

• Venue: Studio measuring 12×14 metres, with a dance floor.
• Technical staff: Not included. A contact person at the venue is available for any questions.
• Technical equipment: Mirrors, speakers and basic lighting.
• Work-in-progress sharing: A sharing session for the host organisation’s staff is requested during the residency week.
• Other: The resident will receive their own access tag and key, allowing them to enter and leave the venue independently throughout the residency period.

Tour Dates

2028 Tour Dates:

• Week 7 (February) – Kulturhuset Spira, Rum för Dans/Kungsbacka Teater
  Rehearsal Monday, performance on Tuesday – Jönköping
  Travel day Wednesday, performance on Thursday – Kungsbacka
• Week 8 – Byteatern Kalmar Länsteater, Regionteater Kronoberg & Blekinge, Rum för Dans/Falkhallen
• Karlshamn, Växjö, Kalmar
• Week 17 (April 29) – Skånes Dansteater
• Jönköping is exploring whether more venues in the region could book the performance; this may be after Week 8
• March – Rum för Dans
• April – Rum för Dans, Skånes Dansteater
• November (Week 44) – Kulturhuset Spira, Rum för Dans
  

Links to partners in Danssamverkan Sydsverige

Halland – Rum för Dans: www.rumfordans.se Länk till annan webbplats.

Skåne – Skånes Danstetaer: www.skanesdansteater.se Länk till annan webbplats.

Jönköping – Kulturhuset Spira / Värnamo: kulturhusetspira.se Länk till annan webbplats.

Blekinge & Kronoberg – Regionteatern Blekingen Kronoberg: www.regionteatern.se Länk till annan webbplats.

Kalmar – Byteatern Kalmar Länsteater: byteatern.se Länk till annan webbplats.

Apply here: