VERVE Research Commissions - Northern School of Contemporary Dance

OPEN CALL

Applications for 2024/25 are now closed

VERVE Research Commissions are an opportunity for artists, of any movement background, to share their on-going research with VERVE dancers.

These commissions support artists in building a relationship with VERVE through a week of research and practice-sharing, bookended by bespoke support from VERVE Artistic Director & Course Leader Matteo Marfoglia (matteo.marfoglia@nscd.ac.uk).

They are a paid opportunity to work with the company by sharing an established research practice, giving the dancers experience of a quick creative process.

Each commission is bespoke, shaped by the selected artist and the Artistic Director to support their preparation, their work onsite and the development of the creative process. We are looking for artists who are comfortable with sharing an established research practice and can work quickly with a large group of people.

Artists will also have the opportunity to connect to other areas of NSCD beyond VERVE, discussing their work with a range of staff overseeing artistic commissioning and development.

We welcome applications from EVERYONE

VERVE Research Commissions are funded by Arts Council England.

What you receive

Bespoke research and creative time in the studio with highly skilled dancers, minimum five days.

Access to VERVE wardrobe for costumes and two hours with the technical team before the final sharing. The final outcome can be shared in various ways ( e.g. in a physical space at NSCD, in digital formats, or site-specific settings)

Support before, during and after your time with the company from the Artistic Director, Matteo Marfoglia.

Access to a professional photographer and/or videographer to capture the creative process and for the artist to have the documentation material after the residency week.

Opportunity to discuss and share your practice with NSCD staff who oversee commissioning and professional development opportunities in a variety of areas.

A fee of £750, plus travel expenses and accommodation if needed. (£750 fee is inclusive regardless if you are applying as a solo artist or as a collective)

An amount of £350 for materials and production elements if needed.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking two artists in this initial call – this call is open to EVERYONE

Those with a distinctive physical research practice that may be based in any movement style

Artists at any stage of their career development and that have experience in facilitating a quick creative process.

Those interested in scaling up their practice with a larger group of dancers

Those interested in building a collaborative relationship with NSCD

Previous applicants are welcomed

NSCD believes that diversity and a diverse workforce is critical to its future development. As an equal opportunities employer we actively encourage interest from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, age, race, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief.

We encourage applications from those we do not know, as well as those who may also have engaged with NSCD previously.

We specifically welcome applications from those artist from different movement art forms as well as contemporary dance.

How to apply

We recognise applications take time and energy. We are therefore asking for very little in an attempt to reduce the demand on your time. We ask for:

basic contact information (full name, email address and website/Instagram account – if you have one)

a statement (500 words or a video/audio file of max 3 minutes)- briefly outline your practice and what you would explore and create during a research commission

your CV

one video link to one example of a previous work (max 5 mins)

Successful applicants will be invited to interview over Zoom where you can discuss your practice and ideas with a panel. Specific feedback will be available from this stage, if requested.

Open Call: VERVE Research Commissions

OPEN CALL

Key dates

What you receive

Who we are looking for

When

How to apply

Have any questions?