Tekstmarkt, a first of its kind scriptwriting initiative between the Netherlands and South Africa, encourages creative writing with the new scriptwriting incubator. Playwrights and scriptwriters from the Netherlands and South Africa, both emerging and established, are invited to participate in the project to tell their stories, whether through the stage or in film. Participants will be chosen by an independent panel from both countries and will be mentored to develop their script ideas. The deadline for proposals is 27 September 2021.

In April this year the Performing Arts Fund NL introduced a new programme for international promotional activities, carried out by Dutch Performing Arts. The programme offers offers Netherlands-based companies and ensembles the chance to develop and execute an international promotional plan, over the course of two years and with funding from the Performing Arts Fund NL. An independent committee selected eight organisations.

We’re pleased to announce the four Fellows of the Netherlands Fellowship Programme 2022-2024, who will have access to ISPA’s extensive international network of arts professionals for the next three years. The Netherlands Fellowship Programme is made possible by Dutch Performing Arts.

From 29 May - 6 June 2021 Kundura Stage in Istanbul, Turkey will host the first edition of PerformLab, an exchange programme that offers new perspectives to a fresh generation of theatremakers. The programme is organised in collaboration with Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam (TR), and supported by Dutch Performing Arts and the Netherlands consulate-general in Istanbul. Four Netherlands-based theatremakers have been selected to take part in the exchange programme in Istanbul: Cherish Menzo, Benjamin Kahn, Khadija El Kharraz Alami and Samara Hersch.

IETM Global Connect is a new programme launched and led by IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts and created with the support of IETM’s Associate Members, including Dutch Performing Arts. The goal of Global Connect is to make the network more inclusive, diverse and accessible. Through an open call, IETM invites performing arts professionals worldwide (including producers, artists, managers, presenters) to apply, who have at least 5 years of professional experience in the field and are committed to increasing global awareness, inclusion, accessibility and connectivity – in the sector at large and in their communities. Deadline for applications is 7 June 2021.

29 April marks International Dance Day, the annual worldwide celebration of dance. The council of the International Theatre Institute selected German ballet dancer Friedemann Vogel to write the International Dance Day Message for 2021. For over 20 years, the multi-award-winning artist has performed on revered stages across the globe. Friedemann holds the national title of “Kammertänzer” – the highest distinction for a dancer in Germany.

The new online platform DutchFocus-China.com spotlights 29 theatre and dance companies from the Netherlands. The platform was developed with the support of Dutch Performing Arts, in response to the lack of international touring opportunities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Netherlands Fellowship Programme provides access to ISPA's extensive international network of arts professionals to three mid-career leaders from the Netherlands' performing arts community. The programme is made possible by Dutch Performing Arts. Deadline for applications is 21 May 2021.

With a new programme for international promotional activities, the Performing Arts Fund NL offers Netherlands-based companies and ensembles the chance to develop and execute an international promotional plan.

From 11-22 October 2021, IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth) will be hosting the first edition of their CultureCrew Festival: a virtual global gathering around youth-selected performing arts. Artists are invited to submit videos of their live and virtual productions for young audiences. Deadline for submissions is 13 May 2021. Early bird applications, sent in by 1 April, get a discount on the application fee.

Mittelfest invites young artists to send in their theatre, dance or music project for MittelYoung (24-27 June 2021) and Mittelfest (27 August-5 September 2021). The call is open to artists, ensembles and companies who are under 30 and based in Central Europe or the Balkans. Deadline for applications is 31 March 2021.

27 March marks World Theatre Day, the annual worldwide celebration of theatre. The council of the International Theatre Institute selected stage, screen and television actress Helen Mirren to write the World Theatre Day Message for 2021.

The Performing Arts Fund NL introduces a new grant for international co-productions. This grant allows Netherlands-based organisations to establish a partnership with an organisation outside the Netherlands, in order to develop or produce performances or concerts.

Applications are now open for the dance residency programme, CROWD – international dance exchange. The programme is an initiative of the Goethe-Institut, in partnership with Arts Council England (UK), NRW KULTURsekretariat (DE), Dance4 (UK), Dansateliers (NL), TaikaBox (FI), TanzFaktur (DE), Theater im Pumpenhaus (DE) and The Work Room (UK), and invites dance artists from across Finland, the Netherlands, the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (DE) and the UK to apply. Deadline for applications: 21 February 2021.

In 2019 and 2020, the Never Grow Up! programme presented Dutch film, literature, (music) theatre and dance for young audiences throughout the US. Check out our recap video of this exciting multidisciplinary programme.

The Performing Arts Fund NL offers several grants for the performance and promotion of Dutch performing arts abroad. Check out our overview of upcoming deadlines.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington brings Dutch theatre and dance for young audiences to the United States. Through Virtual Field Trips dedicated to performances by De Dansers and Maas Theater and Dance, Kennedy Center offers exclusive video registrations and interactive assignments for children to enjoy together with their families and teachers. The Virtual Field Trips are developed in collaboration with Dutch Performing Arts and Dutch Culture USA (a programme by the Netherlands Consulate General in New York).

The Jazz Promotion Network has collated the results of its Going Dutch project which, with the support of Dutch Performing Arts, facilitated concerts and tours by Dutch jazz musicians across the UK and Ireland. The project's aim was to increase awareness of the Dutch scene and to foster international collaborations.

Dutch Performing Arts organises a showcase at the online edition of China (Beijing) Performing Arts Expo (CPAX) 2020 to present tour-ready shows from the Netherlands, suitable for the Chinese market. Meet the [NUMBER] Dutch groups selected for CPAX 2020.

WOMEX, the leading international networking platform for the world music industry, goes digital from 21 until 25 October 2020. Since 2015, Dutch Performing Arts and open source network World Music Forum NL have been working together to represent Dutch artists and music professionals at the annual trade fair and showcase festival.