OPEN CALL: FRESH START Nordic/Baltic
– for emerging performance artists based in Finland
New Performance Turku Biennale (Turku) in collaboration with the Starptelpa Festival (Riga) and Live Art for Kids Festival (Liveart.dk, Copenhagen).
Application period until February 10, 2025
The FRESH START Nordic/Baltic program, organized by New Performance Turku Biennale in collaboration with Starptelpa Festival (Riga) and Live Art Denmark (Copenhagen), offers working and internationalization opportunities for emerging performance artists based in Finland. This program is designed for artists who have worked in the field of performance art for less than 10 years. It aims to refine artistic processes, introduce fresh talents, and support artistic and international development through collaboration with festival partners, mentors, and visiting international curators. Each festival will select two artists for the program, forming a peer group of six participants who will work closely, exchange feedback, and meet remotely and during the festivals and residencies.
Themes of the Festivals
New Performance Turku Biennale focuses on issues of participation and engagement, both socially and in various interactions.
Starptelpa explores posthumanist themes, challenging anthropocentrism and highlighting the agency of other species, objects, and materials.
Live Art for Kids Festival presents works not specifically created for children but suitable for young audiences. This year’s theme explores sports and collaboration.
Program Details
From Finland, two artists will be selected to participate in a two-week residency period, either in Turku (March 31 – April 13, 2025) or in Copenhagen (June or August 2025).
1) The selected artist working at the residency in Turku will perform at the Starptelpa Festival (Riga, May 27 – June 1) and at the New Performance Turku Biennale (September 2–7).
2) The selected artist working at the residency in Copenhagen will perform at the New Performance Turku Biennale and the Live Art for Kids Festival (Copenhagen, between September 12 and October 12). Exact performance dates will be determined after the artist selection.
The Program Includes:
– A two-week residency in Turku or Copenhagen
– Remote mentoring and coaching sessions
– Two performances: one in Turku and one in either Riga or Copenhagen
Artists will receive mentoring from curators at New Performance Turku Biennale, Starptelpa, and Live Art Denmark, as well as an internationally selected artist or curator mentor. The residency programme offers:
– €1,200 fee for the two-week residency
– Shared accommodation and workspace
– A performance fee of €600 per performance (total €1,200)
– A material budget for creating the work
– Coverage of travel and accommodation for festival participation
Eligibility:
You can apply if you:
– Are a Finland-based performance or live art artist (or transitioning into these fields)
– Work as a solo artist (applications from duos or groups will not be accepted)
– Have less than 10 years of experience in performance art
– Are committed to a collaborative and independent creative process during spring and summer 2025
– Are planning a new work suitable for touring and wish to perform it at the New Performance Turku Biennale and either at the Starptelpa or Live Art for Kids Festival
Application language is English. Applications should include a performance idea, CV, and portfolio, submitted as a single PDF file to leena@newperformance.fi by February 10, 2025, at 23:59. Late applications will not be considered.
Selected applicants will be invited for interviews conducted on Zoom on February 20–21, 2025. Invitations will be sent by February 17, 2025. Selection will be made by curator Leena Kela and producer Salla Karvonen from New Performance Turku Biennale.
For more information about the partners:
New Performance Turku Biennale
Starptelpa Festival
Live Art for Kids Festival
Supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Culture and Art Programme.
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