Organizer Information
K3 | Tanzplan Hamburg is one of Europe’s leading choreographic development centers, based at Kampnagel, Hamburg’s internationally renowned contemporary performing arts venue in Germany. K3 supports the creation, research, and presentation of contemporary choreography through residencies, artistic research, professional development, workshops, and public engagement programs. Its residency program has become an important platform for emerging choreographers from around the world, offering long-term artistic support rather than short-term project funding. K3 places a strong emphasis on experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, artistic reflection, and sustainable production processes. Alongside studio space and production resources, residents receive dramaturgical, technical, and organizational guidance while engaging with local and international artistic communities. The 2027–2028 residency season will take place while Kampnagel undergoes renovations, with performances presented across various theaters and alternative venues throughout Hamburg. K3 is committed to diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity, actively encouraging applications from artists with non-traditional educational backgrounds, people with disabilities, refugees, migrants, and members of marginalized communities.
Title & Description
K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme 2027–2028
The K3 Tanzplan Hamburg Residency Programme 2027–2028 offers three fully supported, eight-month paid residencies for emerging to early mid-career choreographers interested in developing ambitious new choreographic works. Running from August 2027 through April 2028, the program provides residents with the time, resources, and professional support necessary to research, create, and premiere an original full-length performance in Hamburg.
Rather than focusing solely on production, the residency encourages choreographers to investigate artistic ideas through sustained research and experimentation. Residents are invited to challenge conventional production timelines while exploring new choreographic methods, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovative artistic processes. Throughout the residency, participants work independently on their own research projects while engaging in dialogue with fellow residents, visiting artists, local audiences, and the wider dance community.
Each resident receives extensive professional support from the K3 team, including dramaturgical consultation, technical assistance, production management, and public relations guidance. Participants also become actively involved in K3's outreach activities and artistic exchange programs, creating opportunities to share their practice with audiences and professionals.
Applicants may work in any choreographic field, including stage performance, dance for young audiences, site-responsive work, public space interventions, interdisciplinary performance, film, and experimental choreographic practices. Formal dance education is not required, making the program accessible to artists from diverse educational and artistic backgrounds who have already developed several independent choreographic works.
The residency culminates in the production and public presentation of a new full-length work in Hamburg during spring 2028. Because Kampnagel will be under renovation during the residency period, performances will be presented at partner venues and alternative performance spaces across the city.
Categories
- Contemporary Dance
- Choreography
- Performance
- Dance Theatre
- Site-Specific Performance
- Public Space Performance
- Experimental Performance
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Performing Arts
- Dance for Young Audiences
- Film
- Video Dance
- Multimedia Performance
- Live Art
- Movement Research
- Artistic Research
- Physical Theatre
- Installation Performance
- Hybrid Performance Practices
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be emerging to early mid-career choreographers with experience creating independent choreographic works outside formal education.
- Have produced approximately 2–5 original choreographic projects demonstrating artistic independence.
- Submit applications as individuals (team or ensemble applications are not accepted).
- Be available to live and work in Hamburg for the full residency period from August 2027 until April 2028.
- Participate actively in K3 outreach activities, workshops, public events, and artistic exchange.
- Demonstrate an interest in artistic reflection, self-directed research, and collaborative dialogue.
- Provide up to four full-length video recordings of previous choreographic works.
- Be willing to develop and present a new full-length performance during the residency.
Applications are welcomed from all countries. Professional dance education is not required. K3 strongly encourages applications from:
- Artists with disabilities
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing artists
- Artists with chronic illnesses
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)
- Sintizze and Romnja communities
- Jewish and Muslim artists
- Refugees
- Artists with migration backgrounds
- Artists from marginalized communities
- Choreographers working outside institutional dance education
- Artists of all genders and family situations
There is no age limit.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected residents receive comprehensive artistic and financial support throughout the eight-month residency.
Financial Support
- Monthly scholarship covering living expenses and accommodation (approximately €2,500 per month based on previous residency cycle; final amount to be confirmed)
- One-time round-trip travel expenses between home country and Hamburg
- Visa application support and related administrative costs
- Accessibility support where required
- Assistance with additional family care costs where possible
Artistic Support
- Eight months of dedicated studio access at K3
- Moderate production budget for the final performance
- Dramaturgical mentoring
- Technical production support
- Organizational and production management assistance
- Public relations support
- Professional artistic consultation throughout the residency
Production Support
Residents receive funding to develop and premiere a new full-length production, including support for:
- Artistic collaborators
- Dancers
- Designers
- Musicians
- Stage materials
- Costumes
- Production logistics
- Travel and accommodation for collaborators where appropriate
Professional Development
- Long-term artistic research
- International networking
- Public engagement opportunities
- Participation in K3 outreach programmes
- Exchange with international artists
- Time for experimentation beyond conventional production schedules
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
During the first application stage, applicants must provide:
- Online application form
- Short project description
- Short biography
- Up to four links to full-length recordings of previous choreographic works
Selected applicants advancing to the second stage will be invited to submit:
- Expanded project proposal
- Motivation letter
- Detailed project structure and artistic concept
Final shortlisted candidates will participate in an online interview via Zoom before final selection.
Applicants requiring alternative submission formats for accessibility reasons may contact K3 directly for assistance.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Information Session 1: 30 June 2026
Information Session 2: 6 August 2026
Application Deadline: 12 August 2026
Extended Applications: September 2026 (selected applicants only)
Online Interviews: Autumn 2026
Final Selection: Expected by the end of 2026
Residency Period: August 2027 – April 2028
Premiere Performances: March–April 2028 (approx.)
Location
Hamburg, Germany
Additional Details
- Three choreographers will be selected for the 2027–2028 residency cycle.
- Residents are expected to remain in Hamburg throughout the residency, although short professional trips may be approved after consultation.
- Accommodation is not directly provided, but the monthly scholarship is intended to cover living and housing expenses.
- K3 assists international artists with visa procedures, health insurance guidance, and relocation support.
- Accessibility accommodations can be arranged in most cases following consultation with the K3 team.
- Family-friendly arrangements are encouraged, and K3 may help identify childcare services and contribute toward additional care-related expenses.
- Applicants may come from any choreographic practice or dance tradition, including interdisciplinary and non-institutional backgrounds.
- The selection process evaluates artistic quality, originality, feasibility, sustainability, and the project's suitability for the residency.
- Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered; late submissions cannot be accepted.