
Open Call: VERVE Research Commissions 23/24
Artists from any movement background are invited to apply for the opportunity to undertake a paid, week-long research residency with VERVE. VERVE Research Commissions are an opportunity for artists, of any movement background to research their practice with students from VERVE.
These commissions support artists in building a relationship with VERVE through a week of studio practice, bookended by bespoke support from VERVE leader Matteo Marfoglia. They are a paid opportunity to work without prescribed outcome, with the companies.
Each commission will be bespoke, shaped by the artist and the curators to support their work and the development of the dancers. Artists will also have the opportunity to connect to other areas of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) beyond VERVE, discussing their work with a range of staff overseeing artistic commissioning and development.
Those who receive a research commission will benefit from: bespoke research time in the studio with highly skilled dancers, minimum five days; sharing opportunity, open to NSCD staff and students across programmes of study with the possibility of a Q&A; support before, during and after your time with the companies from the curator, Matteo Marfoglia; opportunity to discuss and share your practice with NSCD staff who oversee commissioning and professional development opportunities in a variety of areas; and a fee of £750, plus travel expenses and accommodation if needed. (£750 fee is inclusive regardless if you are applying as a solo artist or as a collective).
VERVE is seeking two artists in this initial call and welcome applications from everyone! This includes: those with a distinctive physical practice that may be based in any physical form; artists at any stage of their career development; those interested in scaling up their practice with a larger group of dancers; those interested in building a collaborative relationship with NSCD; and previous applicants are welcomed.
NSCD believes that diversity and a diverse workforce is critical to its future development. As an equal opportunities employer they actively encourage interest from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, age, race, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief.
They encourage applications from those they do not know, as well as those who may also have engaged with NSCD previously.
Successful artists will each be allocated one of the weeks below:
W/c 6 November 2023 – Artist 1 – working with VERVE (18 dancers)
Week in Spring 2024 (TBC) – Artist 2 – working with VERVE (18 dancers)
In order to apply you will need to provide basic contact information (full name, email address and website – if you have one); a statement (500 words or a video/audio file of max 3 minutes)- briefly outline your practice and what you would explore during a research commission; your CV; and one video link to one example of a previous work (max 5 mins)
Successful applicants will be invited to interview over Zoom where you can discuss your practice and ideas with a panel. Specific feedback will be available from this stage, if requested.
If you have any access requirements to complete your application, please get in touch with Matteo Marfoglia (VERVE Curriculum Lead) Matteo.Marfoglia@nscd.ac.uk
Interested artists will need to apply by June 30. Click here to learn more.