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.

Missed out on some of the concerts at this year's anniversary edition of Gaudeamus Muziekweek? Or simply want to relive them in the comfort of your own home? Tune in for a festival recap with interviews with cutting-edge artists and composers from the Netherlands, and links to live concert recordings

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. Deadline for submissions is 17 September 2020.

What happens when you invite another artist to transform an existing performance of yours into something brand-new? Violinist Diamanda Dramm asked composer Genevieve Murphy to add new notes and perspectives to her performance 'Subverse'. This resulted in the piece 'Subverse Part 2' which will be performed at Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2020.

Dutch playwright Jibbe Willems wins a French literary translation of his theatre text 'De Poolse Bruid'. The text will also have a staged reading during the prestigious Festival d’Avignon.

On the opening night of Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2020, ensemble Asko|Schönberg gives a special concert that symbolises their long-standing relationship with the music festival. Having been affected by the COVID-19 crisis like many others in the cultural sector, how does the ensemble still manage to reach out to large audiences, even abroad?

In a battle between man and machine, four percussionists and three robots battle it out on stage in 'Ma(n|chine)'. Fedor Teunisse of Slagwerk Den Haag and composer & artist Zeno van den Broek talk about their upcoming concert at Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2020. Thinking beyond the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, where would to they like to take this performance on tour to next?

Despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there still are ways to discover (new) Dutch work and reach out to performing arts professionals worldwide. Dutch Performing Arts and music festival Gaudeamus Muziekweek team up to present cutting-edge artists and ensembles from the Netherlands through a series of video portraits. First up: Henk Heuvelmans and Martijn Buser of Gaudeamus share a selection of Netherlands-based artists that are not to be missed at this year's festival.

By Koen Guiking It started with an idea to bring two Dutch and two British playwrights together, all with family roots outside of Europe, in countries that were once colonised, to reflect on this colonial history and to what extend it had shaped their identities. They would all come together, talk about their backgrounds, share ideas, and subsequently each would write a short script for a play. But the project, called Boom!, gradually grew larger after the initial seed for an idea was planted in late 2019. There are now seven playwrights involved, building on their original short scripts, working with actors and technicians to bring their plays to life. Boom! is funded by Dutch Performing Arts and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UK.

The EMC Fellowship Programme offers young professionals working in the field of music an opportunity to internationalise their careers and stimulates their professional development. Dutch Performing Arts sponsors three additional Dutch fellows next to the seven fellows who were selected by the European Music Council. Since May all ten fellows met up online for various meetings.

Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children invites artists and companies to submit their performance for the festival's 11th edition, taking place from 11-20 March 2021 in Egypt.

The Kinosaki International Arts Center in Japan is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 artist-in-residence programme. Deadline for applications: 14 June 2020.

Are you a Dutch artist looking to start a collaboration with a British cultural institution in this time of travel restrictions and social distancing? The Embassy of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom has funding available.

Research reveals that Dutch Performing Arts successfully expands and intensifies relationships between supply (Dutch producers/artists) and demand (international presenters). Dutch Performing Arts’ international promotional activities in 2017 & 2018 led to new relevant contacts and the consolidation of ties with existing contacts. There is a greater interest in and awareness of performing arts from the Netherlands. Although Dutch Performing Arts cannot directly affect the extent to which parties actually book performing arts from the Netherlands, half of the Dutch respondents who participated in a professionals’ programme reported seeing an increase in bookings.

Four Dutch groups were announced for the European Jazz Meeting during jazzahead! in Bremen, Germany. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year's edition of the international trade fair and festival had to be cancelled. As usual, Dutch Performing Arts was scheduled to present the Dutch jazz scene there in collaboration with inJazz/Buma Cultuur. Nevertheless, we proudly present the four Dutch groups: Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, Sun-Mi Hong Quintet, Guy Salamon Group, and KAMA Kollektiv.

Street art festival Gwacheon Festival invites artists to submit work for their off-programme. The festival's 2020 edition takes place from 24-27 September 2020 in Gwacheon, South Korea.

Dutch Performing Arts closely monitors the developments concerning COVID-19 (coronavirus). Circumstances are evolving rapidly and have a significant impact on the professional performing arts sector.

Throughout 2020 Dutch Performing Arts collaborates with renowned Dutch festivals for the organisation of professionals' programmes. At the invitation of the organising festival, international music presenters take part in a tailor-made programme. They will experience (new) Dutch work, meet Netherlands-based artists and companies, and attend pitch sessions and networking events.

Throughout 2020 Dutch Performing Arts collaborates with renowned Dutch festivals for the organisation of professionals' programmes. At the invitation of the organising festival, international dance and (music) theatre presenters take part in a tailor-made programme. They will experience (new) Dutch work, meet Netherlands-based artists and companies, and attend pitch sessions and networking events.

Throughout 2020 Dutch Performing Arts collaborates with renowned Dutch festivals for the organisation of professionals' programmes aimed at music, dance and (music) theatre presenters.

27 March marks World Theatre Day, the annual worldwide celebration of theatre. The council of the International Theatre Institute selected Shahid Nadeem to write the World Theatre Day Message for 2020.