Organizer Information
BRÜCKEREI is a mentored choreographic development platform initiated by TANZBACKSTUBE, in collaboration with Tanzhaus Zürich, one of Switzerland’s most prominent institutions for contemporary dance and performance. The program is supported by key partners, including ZHdK – Zurich University of the Arts and Rinova Limited, and funded by major Swiss cultural bodies such as Stadt Zürich Kultur, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Swissperform, and other national foundations.
BRÜCKEREI was created to support choreographic research, experimentation, and artistic exchange in an inclusive and process-oriented framework. Rather than focusing on finished productions, the platform emphasizes artistic inquiry, collaboration, and the development of choreographic thinking. Through mentorship and shared research environments, BRÜCKEREI aims to strengthen contemporary choreographic practices and foster meaningful dialogue within diverse artistic communities.
Title & Description
BRÜCKEREI #3 – Open Call for Choreographers (6–18 July 2026)
BRÜCKEREI #3 invites choreographers from Switzerland and abroad to apply for a two-week mentored choreographic research program taking place at Tanzhaus Zürich, Switzerland, from 6 to 18 July 2026. For its third edition, the program welcomes internationally acclaimed Swiss choreographer, performer, and pedagogue Thomas Hauert as mentor.
The platform brings together three selected choreographers and a large group of professional and non-professional dancers for an intensive period of artistic research and exchange. Under Hauert’s guidance, choreographers are encouraged to deepen their artistic practice, challenge established methods, and expand their creative vision within an inclusive and collaborative context.
This edition focuses on improvisation as a mode of choreographic creation and performance, reflecting Hauert’s long-standing artistic approach. The program culminates in an informal public showing on 18 July 2026, where sketches and insights from the research process are shared with audiences. BRÜCKEREI prioritizes experimentation, openness, and learning through practice, fostering a creative environment where risk-taking and failure are embraced as essential parts of artistic growth.
Categories
Choreography
Dance
Contemporary Dance
Performance
Improvisation
Performing Arts
Eligibility
- Choreographers at any stage of their career
- Open to all backgrounds, genders, and ages
- One choreographer based in the canton of Zurich, one elsewhere in Switzerland, and one international
- Must be fully available from 6–18 July 2026
- Comfortable working with improvisation
- Motivated to collaborate with dancers of diverse abilities and experiences
Program Benefits & Awards
- Professional mentorship by Thomas Hauert
- Tuition-free participation (no application or program fees)
- Travel allowance, accommodation, and per diem for choreographers residing outside the canton of Zurich
- Supportive, inclusive, and research-focused working environment
- Opportunity for public presentation during the informal showing
- Artistic exchange with dancers and fellow choreographers
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completion of the online application form
- Motivation to develop an improvisation-based choreographic practice
- Availability for the full program duration
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 March 2026
- Notification of Selection: 1 May 2026
- Program Dates: 6–18 July 2026
- Public Showing: 18 July 2026
Location
Tanzhaus Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Additional Details
BRÜCKEREI #3 promotes diversity, inclusivity, and geographic balance among participants. The program is conducted in a collaborative, research-driven setting, and selected choreographers are expected to actively engage throughout the entire residency period.
