Organizer Information
MOVIDA (Movement and Virtual Intelligence for the Development and Accessibility of Artists and Audiences) is a three-year European cooperation project exploring the intersection of contemporary dance, artificial intelligence, virtual technologies, accessibility, and audience engagement. Coordinated by Tallinn University and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme, MOVIDA brings together a consortium of 11 partners from Estonia, Germany, Portugal, Romania, and Bulgaria.
The project builds on the experience of the previous Creative Europe initiatives MODINA (2023–2026) and Moving Digits (2018–2020), which focused on digital innovation in dance. Through laboratories, residencies, showcases, forums, podcasts, and an online knowledge hub, MOVIDA aims to support artists working at the convergence of dance and emerging technologies while promoting ethical, human-centered approaches to AI.
The consortium includes dance organizations, universities specializing in AI and media arts, and accessibility-focused institutions working in disability and mental health. Together, they seek to expand artistic possibilities, improve accessibility, and foster new forms of audience participation through technological innovation.
Title & Description
MOVIDA Labs 2026–2027: Open Call for European-Based Dance Artists and Creative Technologists
MOVIDA invites applications from 16 multidisciplinary duos composed of dance artists and creative technologists for a series of intensive international laboratories exploring the relationship between contemporary dance and emerging technologies.
The Labs are designed as collaborative research and development environments where participants can experiment with artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, accessibility tools, and mental health-oriented technologies within dance practice.
Each selected duo will participate in a 9-day international laboratory combining technical masterclasses, artistic mentoring, studio experimentation, and peer exchange. Participants will work toward the creation of a prototype or artistic demonstration while developing new skills and expanding their professional networks.
The programme encourages critical engagement with technology and emphasizes responsible AI practices, sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion within artistic creation.
Categories
- Contemporary Dance
- Performing Arts
- Choreography
- Artificial Intelligence
- Creative Technology
- Media Arts
- Robotics
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Interactive Arts
- Accessibility and Inclusive Arts
- Digital Performance
- Computational Creativity
Eligibility
Applicants must apply as a duo, consisting of professionals whose combined expertise covers both dance and technology. Eligible applicants must:
- Be residents of Europe.
- Be based in:
- An EU Member State, or
- A country eligible under the Creative Europe Programme.
- Apply as a duo (individual applications are not accepted).
- Demonstrate experience in:
- Contemporary dance and performance practices.
- Computational creativity, media arts, creative coding, AI, digital technologies, or audience interaction systems.
- Submit only one application to one laboratory track.
Participation Tracks
General Track (8 duo positions)
- Open to eligible applicants from Creative Europe countries not covered by the regional track.
Regional Track (5 duo positions)
- Both applicants must be based in the same MOVIDA partner country:
- Bulgaria
- Estonia
- Germany
- Portugal
- Romania
Ukrainian Track (3 duo positions)
- Both applicants must be based in Ukraine.
Students may apply if they possess a strong professional or artistic portfolio relevant to the programme.
MOVIDA strongly encourages applications from artists of diverse backgrounds and actively promotes gender balance, inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected duos will receive:
Financial Support
- Artist fee of €1,200 gross per participant
- Total: €2,400 per duo
- Production budget of up to €500 per duo
- Travel support
- Accommodation support
- Possible additional accessibility-related or special needs support, subject to agreement with the host institution
Professional Development
- Four days of specialized masterclasses led by academic experts and invited professionals.
- Mentoring and guidance from researchers, artists, and technologists.
- Studio access for artistic experimentation.
- Access to equipment and technical expertise provided by host institutions.
- Networking with international artists and researchers.
- Documentation through photography and video.
- Visibility through MOVIDA communication channels.
Future Opportunities
Participants will receive a fast-track advantage when applying to future MOVIDA two-month residencies (2027–2028) aimed at further developing concepts initiated during the Labs.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist Statement
- PDF format
- Maximum 2 pages
- Must explain:
- Topics and approaches to be explored
- Relevance to the chosen Lab theme
- Intended contribution to artistic development
- CV of Applicant 1
- CV of Applicant 2
- Online Portfolio or Website Link for Applicant 1
- Including video documentation where relevant
- Online Portfolio or Website Link for Applicant 2
- Including video documentation where relevant
Applications should clearly demonstrate the duo's capacity to integrate technology within dance practice.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 3 August 2026
- Information Session Registration Deadline: 28 June 2026
- Online Information Session: 30 June 2026
- Results Notification: 15 September 2026
Laboratory Dates
- AI, Accessibility and Dance
- Bucharest, Romania: 3–11 December 2026
- AI, AR/VR and Dance
- Düsseldorf, Germany: 13–21 January 2027
- AI, Robotics, and Dance
- Lisbon / Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal: 1–9 February 2027
- AI, Mental Health and Dance
- Tallinn, Estonia: 3–11 February 2027
- Project Duration:
- MOVIDA runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.
Location
Multiple European locations:
- Bucharest
- Düsseldorf
- Lisbon
- Montemor-o-Novo
- Tallinn
The programme is conducted in person across the participating host institutions.
Additional Details
- Participants must adhere to the MOVIDA Code of Conduct.
- Accessibility accommodations are available through host institutions.
- The programme promotes environmentally responsible travel and production practices.
- Artists working with computationally intensive AI systems may be asked to demonstrate responsible and sustainable technology use.
- During the Labs, participants will engage in peer learning, collective discussions, mentoring sessions, and internal presentations.
- Public engagement opportunities may occur during studio phases through open-door activities and local audience interactions.
- Outcomes are focused on artistic research, experimentation, networking, and prototype development rather than finished productions.
The programme is particularly suitable for artists interested in exploring how AI, robotics, VR/AR technologies, accessibility tools, and mental health-oriented approaches can reshape contemporary dance and audience experiences.