Performing arts producers

• Artists
• Non-profits
• Cultural institutions

Applicants must hold Luxembourg nationality or be resident in Luxembourg.

The selection is open to performances in all disciplines created in the past 5 years.

The performance must have been created before the Festival OFF in Avignon or Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The premiere must not be performed at either of the festivals.

Producers may apply for both platforms with a different performance for each platform. They shall be required to propose an overall strategy and also outline their ability to attend both festivals and follow up any further opportunities that may arise following the festivals.

The deadline for submitting applications is midnight on Sunday 1 September 2024.

Performing arts

1.Luxembourg selection at the Festival OFF in Avignon / Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Phase 1:
The Performing arts Selection Committee shall select projects meeting the criteria in line with the budget allocated for each festival

Phase 2:
The successful applicants will receive support to submit their production to the venues identified by each festival.
Kultur | lx support shall only be granted if the performance is programmed at one of the following venues:

• At the festival OFF d’Avignon: Théâtre du Train Bleu; La Manufacture; Le 11 – Gilgamesh; Théâtre Golovine; Théâtre des Halles; Théâtre Transversal; Théâtre du Balcon; Théâtre du Chêne noir; Théâtre des Carmes; Théâtre du Chien qui fume; Le Totem; La Factory; La Scierie.
• At Edinburgh Festival Fringe : Summerhall; Assembly; Dance Base; C venues; Zoo; Traverse Theatre; Pleasance; Gilded Balloon; Underbelly.

Kultur | lx can only support a limited number of projects.

The deadline for submitting applications is midnight on Sunday 1 September 2024.

2. Luxembourg delegation: Prospecting programme at the Avignon OFF / Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Kultur | lx is organising a prospecting programme for a delegation of professionals from Luxembourg with a dedicated programme. Kultur | lx shall support—through the Support for prospecting, research and career development—freelance artists and professionals.

The delegation is limited to 5 members for each festival. The selection shall be made by the Performing Arts Selection Committee on the basis of the objectives clearly identified by the applicants.

The deadline for submitting applications is midnight on Sunday 1 September 2024.

• Clear connection between the artist/non-profit association with the Luxembourg cultural scene;
• Artistic quality of the performance;
• Evidence of a professional artistic team (producer, distribution officer, PR agency etc.);
• Adaptability of the performance to the Festival OFF in Avignon / Edinburgh Fringe Festival (stage technical specifications, limited time for assembly and disassembly, limited storage options, limited lighting, time slots);
• Accessibility of the performance for a French speaking (Avignon) / English-speaking (Edinburgh) audience;
• International distribution strategy beyond attendance at the festival (before and after);
• Investment by producer (financing, valuation of the industrial contribution, support).

• Artistic CV and portfolio of the whole team;
• Overview of strategic development plan for participation in the Avignon OFF and Edinburgh Festival Fringe;
• Technical specifications;
• Production budget for the performance (expenditure and income) in Avignon / Edinburgh, including preparation and follow up;
• High-quality audio and video recording. If the performance has not been created yet, a detailed file outlining all of the creation stages must be included. The performance must have been created before the Avignon OFF or Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The premiere must not be performed at either of the festivals;
• Any additional information that supports your application.

• Travel;
• Accommodation;
• Fees for the artistic and technical teams (in line with the ASPRO / THEATER FEDERATIOUN scale);
• Daily subsistence allowance (per diem);
• Transport costs (set, instruments, insurance);
• Technical costs (rental of additional equipment);
• Rights;
• Promotion costs:
  • Press agency/PR costs (fees);
  • Purchase of advertising space (print, radio, internet, professional publications etc.);
  • Online advertising and marketing (Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram etc.).

• Travel: return trip within Europe:
  Train travel should be preferred. Travel in second class (train) or economy class (plane) shall be reimbursed.
  Travel by car shall only be reimbursed—at a rate of €0.30 per kilometre and toll charges—if it is the only solution possible.

• Accommodation:
  • Avignon, maximum of €90 per night per person;
  • Edinburgh, maximum of €110 per night per person.

• Fees for technical and artistic teams in line with the minimum rates approved by ASPRO and THEATER FEDERATIOUN: download recommended rates (in French).

• Daily subsistence allowance (per diem):
  €30 per day per person on days worked. €15 per day per person on travel days.
  Days off are not included.

• Marketing costs: total maximum amount of €6,000.

• Re-run costs for a work that has already been created but been suspended for a significant period of time (12 months since the last performance). One or more actors may be changed for a rerun.
  Costs covered include rehearsal fees in line with the minimum rates approved by ASPRO and the THEATER FEDERATIOUN and rental of rehearsal space. The support will cover a maximum of 5 working days.

• The entire artistic team shall undertake to be available for the entirety of the Avignon OFF / Edinburgh Festival Fringe and for a potential tour during seasons thereafter. In the event of unavailability for the duration of the festival, a reason must be provided for not participating for a limited period of time;
• The artistic team shall ensure that the rights for the show are available for the duration of the festival and any potential tour abroad;
• By submitting an expression of interest, the artistic team declares that the information provided is accurate and complete. It grants all members of the Committee access to personal data about its members;
• It authorises the direction of Kultur | lx to verify the accuracy of all information contained in the application. In the event that any information provided is inaccurate, the artistic team understands that Kultur | lx reserves the right to reject its application;
• The artistic team shall be available for meetings, preparatory meetings, and for a review with the Kultur | lx teams.

Kultur | lx guarantees the artistic freedom of the applicants.

Bringing together over hundreds of programmers and producers, the Avignon OFF and Edinburgh Festival Fringe are unique platforms for raising the profile of artists and their productions. The experience, however, represents a significant financial cost and personal investment before, during and after the festivals. Performing and promoting a production every day for several weeks, alongside thousands of other shows, in an unfamiliar international environment, may represent a risk to the physical and mental health of participants and must be given serious consideration by potential applicants.

Please consult, for example, the section on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website about health and wellbeing: Health and Wellbeing – Fringe connect.

Recent Luxembourg Selections

At Avignon:

2024
Corps au bout du monde by Marion Rothhaar, La Manufacture
Go ! de Jennifer Gohier, Train bleu
Megastructure by Sarah Baltzinger and Isaiah Wilson, Atelier

2023
Petit Frère, la grande histoire Aznavour by Laure Roldàn and Gaëtan Vassart, Caserne des pompiers
Hear Eyes Move, dances with Ligeti by Elisabeth Schilling, Hivernales – CDCN d’Avignon

2022
Terres Arides by Ian de Toffoli / directed by Ian de Toffoli (and ensemble), Caserne des pompiers
Starving dingoes by Léa Tirabasso, Hivernales – CDCN d’Avignon

2021
Salles Gosses by Mihaela Michailov / directed by Fábio Godinho, Caserne des pompiers
Hidden Garden by Jill Crovisier, Théâtre Golovine
The Passion of Andrea 2 by Simone Mousset, Hivernales – CDCN d’Avignon

2019
Révolte by Alice Birch / directed by Sophie Langevin, Caserne des pompiers

At Edinburgh :
2023
stark bollock naked by Larisa Faber, Assembly
Shoot the Cameraman by AWA – As We Are, Assembly
Lovefool by Gintare Parulyte, Summerhall (with support from TNL)

Find out more at:
https://www.festivaloffavignon.com/
https://www.edfringe.com/

Performing arts producers:

• Artists;
• A.s.b.l/non-profits;
• Cultural institutions.

Holding Luxembourg nationality or registered in Luxembourg.

For a Luxembourg production: a production mainly funded from Luxembourg and created by an artist holding Luxembourg nationality or based in Luxembourg (director, choreographer, author, etc.).

The selection is open to shows of all performing arts disciplines. Applications may be made in three categories:

• Show planned in the applicant institution’s programme during the Focus period (new creation or rerun);
• Show in creation (work-in-progress) at the time of the Focus;
• Show/project in development at the time of the Focus.

The deadline for submitting applications is at midnight on Thursday 29 February 2024.

Performing arts

The artistic programme will include the three categories covered by the call for proposals:

• Full length performance (programmed show);
• Presentation of work-in-progress (show in creation);
• Pitch session (project in development).

All applications must be submitted using the online form. No documents will be accepted by e-mail.

An independent jury will select the projects on the basis of the criteria set out in this call. Kultur | lx reserves the right not to submit incomplete projects to the jury.

The jury is made-up with:

• Vesna Andonovic (Head of the Department for Artistic Creation and Promotion, Dance, Audiovisual and Digital Arts Unit, Ministry of Culture);
• Sascha Dahm and Andrea Primm (President and Executive Director of THEATER FEDERATIOUN);
• Bek Berger (Independent producer);
• Kristina Svickienė (Artistic Director of the Vilnius International Theatre Festival, Sirenos);
• Victor Mayot (Head of the Performing Arts Department at Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg).

The jury’s decision is final.

The proposals for shows planned in the programme of the venues may only be submitted by the programming venues.
The shows can be new creations or rerun of shows created in the last 5 years.
The costs of performing the shows will be covered by the host venues.

Work-in-progress proposals may be submitted by any producer (artist; a.s.b.l/non-profit; cultural institution) only with the commitment of a venue (theatre, cultural centre or other scenic space) to host the presentation.

The presentation of the work-in-progress should last between 5 and 30 minutes, excluding the Q&A with the Focus guests.

The venues must cover the technical costs. Expenses for the artistic teams – directors, choreographers, performers – will be paid for up to 3 people by Kultur | lx as follows:

• Fee of €220 excluding VAT per member of the artistic team;
• Accommodation for up to 2 nights at a maximum rate of €140 per night per person;
• Travel within Europe to a maximum value of €300 per person.

Pitch proposals may be submitted by independent artist, a.s.b.l. and cultural institutions.

The pitch session is a space for sharing ideas of any type, receive feedback and find potential partners among the international guests of the focus. From unique working structures to new models of good practices, applications are open beyond creation projects.

The duration of the pitch must not exceed 20 minutes, including the Q&A with Focus guests.
Kultur | lx will cover the following expenses for one person per project and only for the independent artists or companies selected:

• Fee of €100 excluding VAT;
• Accommodation for up to 2 nights at a maximum rate of €140 per night;
• Travel within Europe to a maximum value of €300.

Each applicant is free to submit multiple proposals for each programme category.

Applications will be reviewed and selected by a jury.

• Link between the artist/A.s.b.l./non-profit and the Luxembourg cultural scene;
• Artistic quality of the show/project;
• Relevance of the topics addressed by the performance;
• Potential for international touring and/or cooperation;
• Accessibility to an international audience (non-verbal form, text available in English, contextualisation, etc.);
• Understanding of the issues and objectives of a presentation in an international environment.

• Artistic resume/ portfolio;
• Short presentation of international challenges (priority target countries, envisaged cooperation partners, list of existing or new contacts to activate).

For shows in the programme:

• Brief presentation of the show;
• Recording of the complete show;
• If the show is not yet created by the application deadline: complete production dossier;
• Any additional information that may support the application.

For work-in-progress:

• Brief presentation of the show;
• Artistic statement;
• Any additional information that may support the application.

For projects to pitch:

• Presentation of the project;
• Any additional information that may support the application.

Applicants guarantee their availability in Luxembourg for the entire duration of the Focus Performing arts 2024.

Applicants guarantee to have the rights of reproduction in Luxembourg of the show submitted for proposal.

By submitting their proposals, applicants declare that the information provided is true and complete. The candidates grant all jury members consent to have access to their personal information. The candidates authorise Kultur | lx to verify the accuracy of all information relating to the application. In the event that certain information provided is inaccurate, applicants understand that Kultur | lx retains the right to exclude their application.

Candidates, once their proposal has been selected, will commit to being available for preparatory meetings with the Kultur | lx team.

Programme of the Focus Performing arts in Luxembourg 2023
Article about a first live show Focus in Luxembourg

The call for proposals was written in collaboration with : ASSITEJ Luxembourg; Mierscher Kulturhaus; Rotondes; THEATER FEDERATIOUN; Théâtre du Centaure; Théâtre National du Luxembourg; TRIFOLION Echternach; TROIS C-L – Centre de Création Chorégraphique Luxembourgeois.

The Luxembourg Ministry of Culture has appointed Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg commissioner of the Luxembourg Pavilion, along with the luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture.

Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg was established as an initiative of the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture. The public institution has since become a key partner in the support and promotion of professionals from the following sectors: architecture, design and crafts; multimedia and digital arts; visual arts; literature and publishing; music; and performing arts.

luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture was set up 30 years ago as the Fondation de l’Architecture et de l’Ingénierie with the primary task of promoting quality architecture as a cultural reality. Today, luca takes a multi-scalar and interdisciplinary approach to the issues facing the stakeholders involved in the production of the built environment.

La Biennale di Venezia was established in 1895 and is today acknowledged as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions. La Biennale di Venezia stands at the forefront of research and promotion of new contemporary art trends and organizes events in all its specific Departments: Art (1895), Architecture (1980), Cinema (1932), Dance (1999), Music (1930), and Theatre (1934) – alongside research and training activities.

As the world’s largest cultural event for architecture, this international exhibition aims to give the world an overview as comprehensive as possible of the themes and projects capable of addressing the future’s scenarios in the fields of architecture, urbanism, the city, and our ever-changing society and societal issues.

The 19^th edition will take place from May to November 2025. The Fondazione la Biennale di Venezia has not yet nominated the Chief curator of this edition, but their name should be communicated by the end of the year.

However, the selected proposal will need to be suitable for presentation within the Venice Biennale’s context and take into consideration the specific nature of the Pavilion. The concept developed by the curatorial team will address the typical themes explored in this international event and offer relevant thoughts on contemporary research and subjects in the field. The project must be designed with a view to possible presentation and adaptation in a Luxembourg venue after the biennale.

Official opening: mid-May 2025

The call is open to multidisciplinary curatorial teams, with the project leader being a Luxembourg-based professional of architecture, living in Luxembourg or able to demonstrate cultural integration within the Grand Duchy whose expertise can contribute to the reflection, conceptualisation, design, production and mediation of this Exhibition. For instance, artists, architects, engineers, designers, urban planners, landscape architects, researchers, critics, curators, writers, philosophers, and others can be part of the team. In addition, the teams may enlist the assistance or services of third parties.

Applicant teams must have experience in organising and producing exhibitions and be able to develop an architectural/ curatorial discourse that they can present and defend publicly.

Proposals may take various forms, such as exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops, readings or other relevant formats.

The selection will be carried out in two sessions:

The first session will focus on the preliminary brief projects. The application deadline for the first session is midnight on December 17, 2023 and applications must be submitted through the website https://support.kulturlx.lu/en 

The second session will focus on the detailed projects. The application deadline for the second session is 6:00 P.M on March 15, 2024.

The project for the Luxembourg Pavilion will be chosen by a jury comprising:

• Maribel Casas, Scientific Director, luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture;
• Michelle Friederici, President, Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs conseils Luxembourg;
• Claudine Hemmer, Visual Arts and Architecture Advisor, Ministry of Culture Luxembourg;
• Marija Marić /Francelle Cane, Curators of the Luxembourg Pavilion 2023;
• Eléonore Mialonier, Project Manager Architecture/Design/Crafts, Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg;
• Marion Waller, General Director, Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Paris;
• Nemanja Zimonjić, Director, Ten Studio, Zürich.

Constitution of application files:

• First session:
  Deadline: December 17, 2023

The application must include the following components:

• References and portfolios of the team members (portfolio + CV);
• Presentation of the concept/project proposal of a maximum of 2 A4 pages written either in French, German or English indicating its challenges and implications and the form it could take;
• A preliminary budget estimation.

The jury will convene between Januray 8 and 12 to shortlist a maximum of three applicants, who will then be invited to further develop their projects and present them in front of the jury during the second session. The announcement of the shortlisted projects will be made by January 19.

• Second session:
  Deadline: March 15, 2024 at 06 :00 pm at the latest

For the second session, the 3 shortlisted candidates must submit:

• A title for their project;
• The detailed project including all relevant visual elements such as layout plans, photos, videos, etc.;
• A detailed budget forecast specifying the costs of the primary expenditures;
• A set and detailed timetable fitting the deadlines that will be sent over to the selected candidates after the first session;
• A format for a possible adaptation of the project in a second venue.

Physical files (models, boards, etc.) must be sent / brought to Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg / 5-7 rue de l’Alzette, L-4011 Esch-sur-Alzette) by March 15 from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm at the latest.

The jury’s deliberation for the second session will take place between March 17 and 20. Applicants will be invited to present their project in the presence of the jury.

The jury will submit its proposal for a winning project to the Minister of Culture

Please note that the jury’s decision is considered final.

The announcement of the winning team will be disclosed on March 27, 2024.

Selected applicants for the second session will receive an allowance of € 1,500 for the preparation of their applications for the project’s finalisation for the second session. For the selected team, this lump sum is to be considered a down payment. The names of the three shortlisted projects will be published.

Evaluation Criteria:

The Ministry of Culture has appointed Kultur | lx Commissioner of the Luxembourg Pavilion, along with luca. Kultur | lx holds the responsibility for the coordination of the project.

As the project Coordinator, Kultur | lx will oversee the entire execution of the Luxembourg presence in Venice and coordinate all aspects of the project.

Under Kultur | lx supervision, the curatorial team will be responsible for:

• The curatorial concept of the exhibition and the writing of all associated texts for the presentation, mediation and communication on the project;
• The design/ scenography of the exhibition layout, including the detailed construction plans and precise description of the chosen materials (including all necessary details for the construction of the exhibition) and its visual identity;
• The editorial management of the exhibition catalogue (including negotiations with contributors, authors, copyright holders, graphic designers, publishers, etc.);
• The production of the exhibition (including the search and consultation of the service providers, all budgetary commitments must receive prior approval from Kultur | lx;
• The supervision of the on-site setup and deinstallation, in close collaboration with the local coordinator and construction/installation team.

The missions must be carried out within the budget and schedule established in agreement with Kultur | lx. Applicants commit to being available throughout the entire period to meet the deadlines essential for the successful completion of the project, as well as those required by La Biennale di Venezia.

The curatorial team will also provide its availability for public presentations/lectures about their project in Luxembourg and/or in Venice within the time frame of the Exhibition in accordance with Kultur | lx communication strategy and luca programme.

In close collaboration with the curatorial team, Kultur | lx will manage the following:

• The follow-up of the general timetable;
• The management of the administrative and budgetary aspects of the project (validation of each expenses, drafting contracts, etc.);
• The interactions and communication with the Foundation La Biennale di Venezia;
• The communication campaign and press relations;
• The organisation of the opening and associated events in Venice.

The specific roles and responsibilities will be further refined, based on the selected team and project, in an agreement to be drawn up within two months of the announcement of the winning team.

Budget Overview:

The budget designated for exhibition production and publication is € 270 000 (excluding adaptation costs for Luxembourg). This sum includes expenses for installation, deinstallation, transport (roundtrip and storage after return), travel and accommodation for the selected team, and all costs related to the publication.

The winning curatorial team will receive of fee ranging from € 42 000 up to € 63 000. It should be incorporated into the overall provisional budget to be submitted for the second session.

• Freelance artists (choreographers);
• Non-profit associations (a.s.b.l.) (dance companies);
• Luxembourg nationality or resident/based in Luxembourg.

Performing arts (dance)

Applications must be submitted by 23.59 CET on Friday 25 August 2023.

Applications must include:

• Covering letter;
• Summary document outlining a distribution strategy before and after the event;
• Copy of an identity document;
• Short CV;
• Video of creations;
• Presentation of the product that will be proposed for the Internationale tanzmesse nrw official programme :
  • Categories performances (https://www.tanzmesse.com/en/programme/2024/performances/);
  • Categories open studio (https://www.tanzmesse.com/en/programme/2024/open-studios/);
  • Categories pitching (https://www.tanzmesse.com/en/programme/2024/pitchings/).

Incomplete applications shall not be considered.
A jury composed of several national experts from Luxembourg will select 4 choreographers and/or companies on the sole basis of the applications submitted.

The jury’s decision shall be announced on Friday 1^st September, 2023.
The jury’s decision shall be final.

• Demonstrate a clear connection with choreography in Luxembourg;
• Have participated in the « Dance from Luxembourg » programme a maximum of two times;
• Ability to present an international development strategy.

• Availability from 29 to 31 August 2024 to attend Internationale tanzmesse nrw in Düsseldorf;
• Active contribution to preparations for Internationale tanzmesse nrw in Düsseldorf before, during and after the event;
• Agree to submit an application to Internationale tanzmesse nrw to present a performance, open studio or pitch as part of the official programme.

• Cover travel, accomodation and per diem costs for the choreographer and one member of their team (production, distribution, administration or communications manager) for the duration of Internationale tanzmesse nrw;
• Provide support before, during and after Internationale tanzmesse nrw.

The Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition is one of the world’s largest and most important international platforms for contemporary art. In addition to the main exhibitions organised by curators, some 90 countries take part in the Biennale Arte via national contributions.

In December 2022 the Board of La Biennale di Venezia appointed Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa, curator and artistic director of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP), as Curator of the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition in 2024. The theme of the general exhibition is not yet known.

The Luxembourg Pavilion’s exhibition space is located in one of the rooms of the Sale d’Armi at the historic Arsenale site, which also hosts the International Exhibition and some of the National Pavilions.  A description of this space, which covers 240 m2, can be found here.

Applicants will be selected in two stages.

1. Shortlist applicants

Deadline: Applications must be submitted by midnight on 26 February 2023 via the Kultur | lx platform: https://support.kulturlx.lu/en/.

Applications must include the following:

• Covering letter – Preliminary design/concept (one A4 page)
• Portfolio
• Curriculum vitae

Shortlisted applicants will be notified during the week of 6 March 2023.

2. Project selection

Deadline: Applications must be submitted by midnight on 23 April 2023.

In this stage, the shortlisted artists will be invited to submit a detailed project description that includes the following:

• Artistic project description (no more than five A4 pages)
• Technical description, including plans, sketches, etc.
• Estimated budget

A budget guidance note and the procedures for submitting applications will be sent to the shortlisted applicants when the shortlist is announced in the week of 6 March 2023.

The shortlisted artists will be invited to present their project to the jury during a 30-minutes audition that will take place in Luxembourg in the week of 17 April 2023.

The shortlisted artists will receive compensation of €1,500 for finalising the project for the second round. For the winning project, this compensation shall be considered a down-payment. The names of the shortlisted artists will be published.

One project will be selected as the winning project and recommend to the Minister of Culture, who will then award the contract to design the Luxembourg Pavilion.

The jury’s decision is final.

The winning project will be announced on the week of 1 May 2023.

The entire selection process will be handled by one and the same jury. The jury will comprise national and international experts, as well as representatives of Mudam Luxembourg:

• Adam Budak, Director, Kestner Gesellschaft Hannover
• Michelle Cotton, Head of the Artistic Programming and Content Department, Mudam Luxembourg
• Hélène Doub, Head of Visual arts, Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg
• Hélène Guénin, Director,MAMAC | Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain de Nice
• Stilbé Schroeder, Curator, Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain
• Bettina Steinbrügge, Director, Mudam Luxembourg, President of the Jury
• Joel Valabrega, Curator, Mudam Luxembourg

The members of the jury will be guided by the following criteria when making their selections: artistic background of the applicant(s), relevance and originality of the project, how well the project fits into the international context of the Biennale, and the technical and financial feasibility of the project.

Applicant artists must have Luxembourg nationality or reside in Luxembourg. For an artist collective, at least one member must have Luxembourg nationality or reside in Luxembourg. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate, via relevant experience, that they are professional visual artists. Artist collectives and transdisciplinary artists are also welcome to submit applications.

Questions about the call for applications or the selection process may be sent to the following e-mail address: biennale@kulturlx.lu

Incomplete applicants and applications received after 26 February 2023 will not be eligible for the selection process.