Studio Light Moves: Open Futures 2026 takes the form of a residency-based lab space for dance artists and digital-media artists to explore and develop the intersection of dance across media, interaction design and screen-based practices.
Open Futures 2026 invites collaborative submissions, consisting of one dance artist and one digital artist, to engage in a mentored exploration of interdisciplinary exchange within practices that consider stage, gallery, interaction, installation and outdoor settings. Three pairs of artists will be selected to participate in a two-week residency period in Limerick, Ireland.
Open Futures 2026 introduces a new Creative Lab, a day where residency artists can engage with expert practitioners working within the digital and choreographic arts. As part of the Creative Lab all artists will make a presentation on their practice and how it explores the interdisciplinary exchange between dance and technology.
Open Futures 2026 aims to focus on collaborations between dance and digital media practices including: video mapping, real-time image capture and/or generation, motion sensing, cinematography, coding, immersive video, game engines, real-time/interactive sound, generative audio and moving image installation methods. The open call welcomes submissions from both Ireland-based and international artist pairs.
The programme provides a total 3,600 EUR per pair financial support consisting of:
- 3 week paid residencies: 2 weeks in-person in Limerick in May 2026 for a dance artist and media artist (750 EUR per week per person), and an additional 300 EUR per person for research and development days prior to this to be organised by the artists
- Studio space with access to relevant technical equipment
- Participation in a Creative Lab with experts in the area of dance and technology
- Accommodation in Limerick
- Support for Travel Costs (maximum amount for national travel 50 EUR return per person / international travel 250 EUR return per person)
