Island Connect is a collaborative programme between seven performing arts organisations, working with residencies located on (or associated with) European islands of different countries: Bornholm – Denmark, Vis – Croatia, Ireland, Mallorca, Corsica, Sardinia, and Tenerife. The project and its calls address artists based in Denmark, Croatia, Ireland, the Balearic Islands, Corsica or France, Sardinia or Italy, or the Canary Islands.
All artists wishing to participate will be asked to critically engage with the themes of insularity, islander identities or island socio-political realities in a wider European context comparing the similarities and difficulties that emerge from diverse island regions of the project. Working on something related to these themes is a vital part of participating in the project. Artists are not required to have an existing project in development, and new proposals are equally welcome.
There are currently calls open for two residencies:
- Artistic Residency Exchange 2024: Open to artists or groups/companies of up to 3 artists. Each artist/group will receive 2 weeks of residency in their country of origin or domicile. They will then be sent to a partner country for a further 2 weeks of residency. During these weeks of residency, they may share the space with another group of artists, to encourage networking and exchange. This call is open to artists who have a performative element to their work or consider themselves to be in the performing arts. Artists/companies will receive a total of €1200 per 2-week residency (€2400 total) regardless of group size, and per diems of €50 per person. Accommodation and travel is provided.
- Co-Creation Residency 2024: This call is for 1 performing arts creator from each of the project regions (except Denmark) to attend a joint co-creation residency on the island of Bornholm 17-23 June 2024. The residency will be hosted by BIRCA and facilitated by BIRCA’s director Susanne Danig in collaboration with Danish-based performance maker Ilon Lodewijks. This call is open to a wider field of people working in the arts, and is not just for performers. Each artist will be paid €800, per diems of €50 per day during the residency, and travel will be covered. BIRCA will provide accommodation and working space.
The Island Connect programme will also be complemented by a 5-day SpringLab. The first SpringLab is in Vis, Croatia, from 2-7 April 2024. A person responsible for artistic direction from each selected company will be invited to join the workshop with the aim of providing the companies with tools for the development, creativity and sustainability of their artistic projects.
