Organizer Information
This residency is a collaborative initiative between two prominent Belgian art organizations:
- iMAL (Interactive Media Art Laboratory): Located in Brussels, iMAL is an Art Center and Lab dedicated to supporting and promoting artistic practices that critically engage with digital technologies. It provides a multi-voiced and transdisciplinary approach, featuring exhibitions, residencies, and a Fablab for technology access and development.
- A Two Dogs Company (ATDC): The artistic company of Kris Verdonck, ATDC has built over two decades of expertise working in the zone between visual and performing arts. They provide substantial artistic, technical, and dramaturgical support, focusing on projects where technical elements are essential to the work.
Title & Description
STAGES Residency: iMAL x A Two Dogs Company
The STAGES residency is a yearly transversal opportunity aimed at providing technical and dramaturgical support for the development of new artistic projects. The core focus is on projects that operate at the confluence of performing arts and digital arts, with the potential to leverage both the black box (performance stage) and the white cube (exhibition space) environments. The residency is specifically structured to help artists tackle the technical and dramaturgical challenges inherent in work where technical elements (such as machines, light installations, sound, or projection) play an essential role. The collaboration ensures access to expertise and resources from both the digital arts and performance fields.
Categories
- Performing Arts (Theatre, Dance, Performance)
- Digital Arts
- Transversal/Interdisciplinary Projects that merge performing arts and digital arts.
Eligibility
- Target Group: The call is aimed at Emerging Artists (defined as artists active for a few years but still establishing their career and relying on institutional support).
- Geographic Requirement: Applicants must be residents in Belgium, regardless of nationality, gender, religion, or ethnic origin.
- Inclusivity: Candidates of all origins and identities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Benefits & Awards
The residency offers a significant package of financial, technical, and artistic support:
- Financial Support:
- Artist Fee (iMAL): €2,000
- Production Envelope (iMAL): Maximum €1,000
- Research & Development Costs (ATDC): €2,000 allocation.
- Residency Duration & Space:
- One-month residency period at iMAL spaces and lab (e.g., April-May).
- Access to the A Two Dogs Company atelier/studio for a longer duration (e.g., up to one year for R&D).
- Technical & Artistic Assistance:
- A dedicated technician will be available for one month.
- Technical, Curatorial, and Distribution Consultancy from the iMAL team.
- Dramaturgical, Artistic, Productional, and Organizational Advice from the ATDC team.
- Access to the iMAL Fablab (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, etc.) for project development.
- Access to ATDC's resources, including a wood and metal workshop and media devices in stock.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Artists send their proposals through an online form. The evaluation criteria focus on:
- Artistic and Cultural Interest of the project.
- Feasibility of carrying out the project.
- Proposed Return Activity (e.g., public presentation, talk) by the artist/collective.
- The project's relationship with the programming context of iMAL and A Two Dogs Company.
Applicants are typically required to submit a detailed proposal, which includes information on technical and human resources needed.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 22 December 2025
- Notification Date: February 2026 (for the 2026 cycle).
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Additional Details
- Co-Production Acknowledgment: iMAL and A Two Dogs Company must be mentioned in all project communications as co-producers.
- Workspaces Hours: Access is typically Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00 (subject to change).
- The selection is made by a jury composed of members from both A Two Dogs Company and iMAL's teams. Preselected artists may be invited for an interview.