Building on the success of the 2025 call for proposals for the Adaptation of a choreographic work in a site specific context, DSR is launching a second call, supported by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, in collaboration with the Aerowaves Europe network. This initiative will offer a Quebec-based company, collective, or artist the opportunity to stay in Guimarães, Portugal, from April 18, 2026 to May 10, 2026.
The artist, company, or collective will adapt a work from their repertoire for 4 to 6 students from the Ent’Artes school, located in Braga. These students, who are at an advanced level in ballet and contemporary dance, are exposed to various dance approaches, possess strong technique, and are eager to explore and exchange.
The final work will be presented twice in an in situ context on May 6, 2026, in Guimarães, the city where the next edition of the Spring Forward Festival will take place. This festival welcomes presenters who are members of the Aerowaves Europe network and professionals from across the globe. The Quebec-based company, collective, or artist is invited to participate following the presentation of their work.
Call opens: October 3, 2025
Deadline: November 1st, 2025, midnight
Partners
Aerowaves Europe
Aerowaves Europe is a hub for dance discovery Each year its 46 members from 34 countries identify the most promising new works by emerging dance artists across Europe. The Spring Forward Festival, which relocates annually to a different country, provides a platform to share the selected work with performing arts professionals and local audiences. Aerowaves invites leading programmers from all over the world to attend its festival in order to discover current European works, collaborating with a local partner in the region where the festival is presented.
La danse sur les routes du Québec (La DSR)
La DSR plays a key role in advancing the international profile of Quebec dance by forging strategic partnerships with leading networks, with the aim of creating tangible visibility opportunities for artists. Since 2023, La DSR has maintained a privileged relationship with Aerowaves Europe, made possible through the support of CALQ, MRI, and Quebec’s general delegations abroad. Together, the two networks are now developing reciprocal initiatives that underscore the alignment of their missions and strategic visions.
Timeline
- Departure from Montreal: April 18, 2026
- Arrival in Porto and train to Guimarães: April 19, 2026
- Creative process: April 20 to May 5, 2026 (breaks on Sundays)
- Work presentation prior to Spring Forward Festival: May 6, 2026
- Spring Forward Festival: May 6 to 9, 2026
- Departure from Guimarães, train to Porto and flight to Montreal: May 10, 2026
Coverage
For one or two people, depending on the needs of the project
Aerowaves Europe
- Fee of 3,000 euro (+/- $4,300 CAD), paid to the company, collective or artist;
- Local transportation;
- Accommodation in Guimaraes (total of 21 nights), double occupancy;
- Accreditation to attend the 2026 Spring Forward Festival.
Ent’Artes school
- Rehearsal space;
- On-site rehearsal director to support the Quebec company, collective or artist in their creative process.
La DSR
- Round-trip airfare;
- Per diem.
Details and regulations
Glossary
- Site specific: a work that can be presented anywhere except for a performance hall, with minor technical requirements or complete autonomy.
Prerequisites
- Be a member of La DSR in 2025-2026;
- Be an artist, company or collective recognised by their milieu or by their peers;
- Be based in Quebec or in its Indigenous territories;
- Must provide Internet links to a complete version of the work;
- Works in progress are not accepted;
- Works for a performance space or in situ works are accepted but must be adaptable to the proposed in situ context;
- The application may be presented in either French or English;
- No submission fee;
- On request, La DSR can provide assistance in preparing the application;
- If one of the criteria presents an access or equity issue, La DSR invites the applicant(s) to contact its team to discuss the issue and find solutions (consult the Support and Equity Policy);
- Complete the form no later than November 1st, midnight;
- The selected artist will be announced before the Christmas holidays;
- If an artist wishes to submit several projects, a separate form must be completed for each one.
Selection process
Selection is made by a jury of paid peers composed of members of La DSR and members of Aerowaves Europe. The selection process is part of La DSR’s commitment to ensuring greater equity for all applicants, notably by consulting paid peers who are culturally representative or who specialise in the proposed dance form.
Selection criteria
- Artistic coherence of the project;
- Potential for adaptability of the work in a site specific context;
- Ability to transmit the choreographic work to students;
- Relevance of this stage in the development of the company, collective or artist.
The selected artists commit to:
- Participate in an advance meeting;
- Participate in a review meeting;
- Mention the contribution of La DSR and the Aerowaves Europe network in all communications;
- Participate in the entire project.
La danse sur les routes du Québec commits to:
- Acknowledge equity issues, the impact of colonialism and the notion of “privilege” in its activities and its sector;
- Honour and respect the cultural specificities of artistic practices;
- Facilitate evaluation of artists’ applications by culturally representative peers;
- Provide services in a spirit of openness and active listening as well as empowerment and self-determination for Indigenous artists, artists of diversity, and those affected by equity issues;
- Participate in the development of artistic practices and efforts to bring about change in the sector.
*The residency program may undergo slight changes, which we will define and communicate by the time of the selection process.
