Open Call — Icelandic Dance Showcase 2026
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Performing Arts Centre Iceland (Sviðslistamiðstöð Íslands), in collaboration with Business Iceland (Íslandsstofa), Reykjavík Dance Festival, Iceland Dance Company (Íslenski Dansflokkurinn) and Dansverkstæðið, invites choreographers and artists working with the body as a primary medium to apply for participation in the Icelandic Dance Showcase 2026.
The showcase will take place within the framework of Reykjavík Dance Festival 2026 (11–15 November) and aims to strengthen the international visibility of choreography connected to the Icelandic dance field, following the cancellation of the ICE HOT Nordic Dance Platform edition in 2026.
The Icelandic Dance Showcase is a new initiative designed to support the international visibility and circulation of choreography connected to the Icelandic dance field. It also aims to support artists in developing international perspectives on how their work can be presented and toured. The platform is designed to support both immediate touring opportunities and longer-term international collaboration.
The showcase will present a curated selection of works in three presentation formats — full performances, short demos/excerpts and pitch presentations — to an invited group of listrænna stjórnenda hátíða og sýningarstaða, menningarblaðamanna, auk áhorfenda Reykjavík Dance Festival.
Samhliða showcase-inu verður boðið upp á sérsniðna dagskrá fyrir alþjóðlega gesti sem tengir listafólk og samtök í íslenska dansgeiranum við listræna stjórnendur og aðra fagaðila í gegnum fundi, kynningar og tengslamyndun.
What the showcase offers
Artists selected for the Icelandic Dance Showcase will become part of the showcase programme within Reykjavík Dance Festival 2026 and its international delegate programme.
Participation in the showcase includes:
- Presentation at Reykjavík Dance Festival 2026 (11–15 November): Works may be presented as full performances, demos/excerpts or pitch presentations.
- Participation fee: Artists selected for the showcase will receive a participation fee of ISK 200,000 per performance. A limited number of shorter-format presentations (demos) will be included, receiving a fee of ISK 100,000. Additional support may be considered in specific cases, particularly in relation to travel needs and project scope.
- International visibility and promotion: Selected works will be included in promotional materials prepared for visiting presenters, programmers and cultural journalists.
- Professional meetings and networking: Opportunities to meet and present work to invited international delegates.
- Follow-up opportunities for international collaboration: The showcase includes a follow-up support scheme designed to facilitate touring opportunities and international collaborations that may emerge from the showcase.
Who can apply
The call is open to:
- Choreographers and artists working with dance and the body as a primary medium.
- Artists holding an Icelandic Social Security Number (Kennitala). International collaborators may be included as part of a selected project.
Applications may include:
- New works premiering in 2026
- New works in development (for demos and pitching)
- Adapted or reworked versions of existing works intended for international touring or presentation
Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to consider presentation formats suitable for touring and adaptable technical conditions.
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Artistic quality and conceptual strength
- Clarity of the artistic approach and vision
- Feasibility of the proposed presentation within the festival context
- Potential for international touring, collaboration or circulation
- Contribution to the diversity of the Icelandic dance field
The selection will be made by a curatorial panel composed of representatives from the partner organisations and invited professionals.
Application deadline
10th April 2026
Applications must be submitted through the online application form.
APPLY HERE
