This Critical Practice edition draws on the conceptual platforms of performing arts, which have been recently developed at the geographically non-existing territory of Yugoslavia, such as those generated by TkH [Walking Theory], Nomad Dance Academy, Maska, Frakcija etc. It consists of two 18 months-programme cycles focused on the education and practical work of participants. Its purpose is to advance the professional development of authors from the region of former Yugoslavia and Europe and to encourage a more profound, more visible and more accessible critical reflection on the contemporary performing arts, enhancing their visibility and stimulating dialogue with audiences. Its concrete outcomes will be articles, essays, reviews and other formats of critical writing published online or in diverse publications, as well as live discussions, interviews and talks with dance and performance makers.

The cycles have a modular structure, combining seminars, workshops and practical engagement at certain events (festivals, conferences, exhibitions, etc.) as group work structures, and the continual individual or collective work of participants.

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The programme of the first cycle will start in February 2023 and will end in June 2024. 

• Introductory Zoom seminar from 27^th February till 3^rd March.

• Within this cycle, three live gatherings in 3 different European cities will be organised:

• 17th to 21st April 2023: Ljubljana
• Late October 2023: Belgrade, Kondenz Festival of contemporary dance and performance
• Mid November 2023: Reykjavik, Reykjavik Dance Festival

Furthermore, there will be occasional Zoom meetings, regular email communication and the programme’s blog as well as the possibility of self-organised work.

Tuition fee, as well as travel costs and accommodation (Ljubljana / Belgrade / Reykjavik) in average amount of 3.500,00 EUR for each participant will be covered by the organizers of the programme. The participants are required to pay 350,00 EUR registration fee after the approval of their participation.

This Critical Practice edition offers a small-scale educational, research and working studio based on self-organisation and group interaction, whose disciplinary framework is predicated on issues and questions coming from critical theory, contemporary artistic practice and cultural policy. Against this backdrop, our programme is envisaged to produce a vivid transversal discussion within and about the performing arts – among the participants as well as in public.

What is offered:

The organizers offer a temporary work frame for advancing participants’ critical writing and discussing skills, for making contacts with colleagues coming from other contexts, and for a broader enhancing critical reflection on the contemporary performing arts.

Concretely, the programme offers: several seminars and workshops with theorists, dramaturges, and cultural producers coming from the region, mentoring your writing, professional help in preparing public discussions and talks, consultancy regarding relevant literature and prominent works at the contemporary performing arts scene in the region and in Europe, travel and accommodation during selected events, tickets for the performances involved in the selected events, a space for internal work during the events, professional proofreading for your writing, budget, consultancy and practical help in editing and publishing, as well as help with publishing your writings in other magazines, journals and publications. We also offer the budget for production of a book created and edited by the participants at the end of the programme cycle.

As the programme is part of the Feminist Futures project, the participants will be given possibility to take part in the Feminist School which are part of some of the festivals.

What is expected:

The programme expects participation in all scheduled gatherings (from 4 to 7 days), presence at the organized group Zoom discussions/meetings, as well as an active reflection on performing arts through talks organised at the selected events and texts to be published on the blog and in the final publication.

Concrete results and outcomes should be: instant writings about the events attended (at least one per event) and organising other formats of instant critical practice such as talks, discussions, etc. (at least one per event), publishing your texts on the website of the venues that organise events and the blog of the Critical Practice (Made in Yugoslavia) programme (during or up to one week after the event ends), edited printed publication.

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Admission criteria:

• Ca. MA level of education in art, humanities or social sciences
• No age limits
• No official diplomas required

This year the programme will be able to accept six applicants to partake in the programme.

Required documents:

• Curriculum vitae (two pages maximum)
• Motivation letter, with an explanation of the reason for applying to the programme (two pages maximum)
• Examples of your own published or unpublished writing on performing arts (two examples maximum)
• Contact

Jury:

Marijana Cvetković, Biljana Tanurovska-Kjulavkovski, Ana Vujanović, Karoline Skuseth, Kasja Wolinska

Application deadline: 20^th January 2023

The Jury will let you know the results of the first round of application process by email by 30^th January 2023. Zoom interviews with the candidates selected in the first round will be organized on 3^rd and 4^th February 2023. Results will be sent by email on 10^th February 2023.

For all the questions regarding the selection procedure, please contact the programme team, Marijana Cvetković, Biljana Tanurovska-Kjulavkovski and Ana Vujanović at criticalpractice.madeinyu@gmail.com

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Critical Practice (Made in Yugoslavia) partner organizations:

Station Service for contemporary dance, Belgrade  

Nomad Dance Academy

apap – Feminist Futures    

Lokomotiva- Centre for New Initiatives in Arts and Culture