Dossier Open Call

Common LAB — A programme of Common Stories

Common LAB 2025 is part of Common Stories, a project that brings together performing arts organisations, artists and audiences to address the dynamic notions of identity and cultural diversity in a changing European society.

Identity constructions are based on and strengthened by stories and experiences. Stories tell us who we are and who we strive to become. They question and challenge the way we see ourselves and others. We believe that a diversity of stories and a multiplicity of perspectives will allow for a more accurate and fair understanding of the political, cultural and social challenges we face in creating common grounds in European societies, which are characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and the struggle for social justice. European societies are historically built upon inequalities that, we believe, need to be addressed. Cultural sectors, both concretely and symbolically, are riddled with colonial tensions and rationales, as well as logics of domination and power relations. In the performing arts sector, resources, decision-making and programming positions are still mostly in the hands of a white, male, middle-and-upper-class majority, while artists and art professionals from different cultural, social, gender and ability backgrounds are largely underrepresented on and off stage, especially in decision-making and leadership positions. 

In Common Stories, we will promote new artistic practices and contents through different actions, while contributing to the development of a wider framework that welcomes and listens to multiple voices and perspectives.

Common Stories is developed by Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis, MC93, Bobigny (FR), Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles, Brussels (BEL), Alkantara, Culturgest, Lisbon (PT), africologneFESTIVAL, Cologne (GER), Riksteatern, Stockholm (SWE), in association with TR Warszawa, Warsaw (PL), Orient Productions – DCAF Festival, Cairo (EG), CulturArte, Maputo (MOZ), Les Récréâtrales, Ouagadougou (BF), and co-funded by the Creative Europe Program. 

Common LABs

Each year of Common LAB consists of four two-week modules in four different cities, including one location outside of Europe, for a total of eight weeks. This will be the last edition of Common LAB, which will have brought together 24 artists between 2023 and 2025. Information about the previous editions and participating artists is available here.

In designing the programme of Common LAB, we pay particular attention to artistic practices and stories that are underrepresented or absent from our institutions, as well as to the relevance of diversity in language, aesthetics and representation. The programme provides opportunities for artists to exchange, share, and learn from each other and from other guest artists; to research their individual proposals; and to present their projects to the Common Stories partners and other professionals. 

Here is where and when Common LAB 2025 will take place:

- Lisbon, Portugal | 5-18 May 2025 | Alkantara
- Cologne, Germany | 2-15 June 2025 | Africologne
- Cairo, Egypt | 12-24 October 2025 | Orient Productions, in partnership with Les Récréâtrales
- Bobigny, France | 24 October 7 November 2025 | MC93

 The programme will consist of the following activities: 

Os conteúdos deste programa serão desenhados de acordo com o perfil e interesses das pessoas a selecionar nesta candidatura. A maior parte das atividades serão em inglês. Tradução para/de Inglês poderá ser providenciada em algumas atividades, de acordo com as necessidades.

What we offer:

• A programme of activities

• Stipend (80€/residency day)

• Travel and accommodation

Most activities are in English. Translation from/to English may be offered for some activities, according to the needs of the participants.

Who can apply?

Artists who:

• address the dynamic notions of multiculturality or interculturality in a changing European society, both at a professional and personal level

• have a professional practice in the performing arts - Dance, Theatre, Performance 

• are interested in researching and pitching a project (regardless of the number of people needed to execute the project - could be solo works, group pieces or other formats)

• live and work in Europe

• have a good command of English 

• are available to fully participate in the four scheduled modules.

Only the artist/author leading the project may apply. Group applications cannot be accommodated as Common LAB will only support the costs of one person per project.

We strongly encourage applications from artists of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, nationalities, abilities and disabilities, sexes, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ages, and socioeconomic statuses.

How will projects be selected?

Applications will be evaluated by Carla Nobre Sousa and David Cabecinha (Alkantara), Gerhardt Haag and Kerstin Ortmeier (africologne), Hortense Archambault and Virginie Dupray (MC93). Evaluators will consider the project the applicant would like to research, as well as their background and previous works.

A member of the Common Stories advisory committee will also participate in the selection process, providing recommendations on the diversity of the group and the relevance of the selected artistic projects.  

Up to 16 shortlisted artists will be invited to participate in a 20-minute interview between December 4th and 6th. Final results will be announced by email by December 13th, 2024. 

All artists will be informed about the result of their application, whether they are selected or not. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, we cannot provide individual feedback explaining why an application was not selected, and all decisions are final.

How to apply

Complete the application form available here by 2 pm (UTC) on 15 October 2024.

We encourage you to submit your application in English, but we will also consider applications in Portuguese, French, German, Polish and Swedish.

The following information is requested in the application form:

1. Name

2. Country of residence

3. Age

4. Gender (Male / Female / other, please specify)

5. What are the pronouns we should use to refer to you? (He / She / They / Other, please specify)

6. Which artistic discipline best describes the project you would bring with you to Common LAB? (Theatre / Dance / Performance / Other, please specify)

7. Briefly present the project you would like to research and present in Common LAB. We are interested in projects in all stages of development, but please tell us if the project has other confirmed partners, residencies or presentations. (Max 3000 characters)

8. Tell us about your most recent artistic project. What was it and where did you present it? (Max 3000 characters)

9. Please share some information about your background in relation to the values of Common Stories. (Max 3000 characters)

10. In what way do you think Common LAB will be useful to your practice? What activities or aspects of the programme do you find particularly motivating? (Max 2500 characters)

11. Do you confirm you are available to participate in all four modules of Common LAB, as scheduled?

12. Please upload pdf documents for:

• CV

• Artistic presentation of the work you would like to research in the context of Common LAB

• Documentation about previous works, including links to videos, website and social media

1. Please use this section if you want to add something about your personal or professional situation that we would need to take into account in order for you to participate.

SELF-IDENTIFICATION SECTION (OPTIONAL)

In this section you may choose to self-identify as a member of any systematically marginalised group in the cultural field in Europe (including, but not limited to, groups on the basis of gender — including identity / expression —, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and ability), and you can also choose to describe that identity.

This section is intended to help us accurately estimate the diversity of our applicant pool as part of our commitment to increase the diversity of artists and projects present in our cultural institutions.

1. Do you self-identify as a member of any systematically marginalised group? (optional) (Yes / No)

2. Self-identification statement — If yes, and if you would like to elaborate, please describe that identity. (Max 1000 characters)

If at any point you have any questions about this call feel free to reach out to: 

• n.tirou@mc93.com (for inquiries in French or English)