National Talent Programme for Contemporary Circus 2026-2027

About the Talentprogramme and the Application

• Who can apply?

  The program is aimed at contemporary circus makers

  
  - with professional training
  
  - or who can demonstrate sufficient professional work experience as an artist over a minimum of three years

• The programme offers:

  - Recidendy- and production periods in Bærum Kulturhus and our partnering venues to develop their projects/performances over the period of Fall 2026 – December 2027 

  - During the residencies, the participants receive artistic support in direction, dramaturgy and choreography.  

  - Workshops in direction, dramaturgy and choreography as well as light design and scenography prior to the residency period.  

  - Conversations with a mentor about career choices, networking and means and actions for developing a sustainable career. 

  - Workshop in application writing and project management and -budgeting  

  - Network development through Dance South-East Norways national and international networks.

  - Participants will receive a programme grant as well as support/resources for the various programme activity 

  - National Talent Programme for Contemporary Circus is supported by Talent Norge. Participation also gives access to Talent Norges professional seminars.  

  - Participants that are admitted into the programme will conduct audience outreach activities such as workshops, work-in-progress sharings etc.  

  - The talent programme for contemporary circus is a part-time programme with activity spread over the period of June 2026-December 2027. The initial estimate of programme activity is approx. 9-10 weeks, as well as mentor sessions and possibly Talent Norges professional seminars.

  By accepting to take part, participants commit to carry out programme activities in agreed time periods. Periods to be announced and agreed upon during the selection process.  

• Application Requirements

  NB! Application must be sent in English in. pdf format to danssorost@baerum.kommune.no and must include the following:

  - CV and photo (Maximum one page) 

  - Videoreel of your artistic work – maximum 3 minutes 

  - Project description of the project/performance you would like to develop through the programme. You can apply with both project ideas, projects that are in development/creation stage as well as further development of existing projects.

  You can apply with a maximum of 2 projects, with a maximum lenght of one page per project description.   

  - A letter of motivation of maximum one page. In the letter we ask you to:  

  - Express how you would like to develop as a contemporary cirkus maker.  

  - Demonstrate your connection to the Norwegian contemporary circus field.  

  - You are welcome to propose one or more mentors you would like to work with.  

  - You need a registered administrative body (company/organisation/undertaking) to be eligible to apply. This applies to both individual artists and companies.  

• Please formulate your e-mail as below:

  Subject line: Application National Talent Programme for Contemporary Cirkus 

  E-mail content set up:  

  Name:  

  Surname:  

  e-mail: 

  Tel. No. (country code included): 

  Adress/country of residency:  

  Link to videoreel (maks 3 min. video): 

   

  Attachments - NB! All attachments must be in .pdf format: 

  CV and photo – maximum one page (upload) 

  Letter of motivation – maximum one page (upload) 

  Project description 1 – maximum one page per project  

  Project description 2 (if appliccable) - maximum one page per project 

   

• Assessment and Selection:

  The selection is made by Dance South-East Norway in collaboration with international advisers. High artistic quality, diversity in artistry, background, gender as well as aesthetics, artistic expressions and - voices are important elements in our assesments.