dance development residency 2025

Toi Pōneke Arts Centre are pleased to announce our 2025 Dance Development Residency, with a call for submissions.

application closes

5pm, Tuesday 25 February 2025

recipient announced

around the 18 March 2025

Residency Dates

5 May – 8 June 2025 (5 weeks)

About this residency

This opportunity is open to one Wellington based choreographer who will receive 25hrs a week for 5 weeks in the Toi Pōneke Dance Studio to develop a new dance theatre work. You will work alongside an emerging producer and a cast/ crew of up to 3. We recommend your cast/crew could be made up of 2 dancers and a videographer/photographer to help document the work. The choreographer and crew will receive a stipend to rehearse and will present to an ‘industry only’ showing at the end of the residency. The choreographer will also have access to a paid mentor. (A choreographer, Dramaturg or Director.)

The choreographer will start their creative residency one week earlier than the emerging producer in order to develop their work in advance of the emerging producer starting. This allows for 4 weeks cross over with the choreographer and emerging producer.

The emerging producer will help to arrange an ‘industry only’ showing of the work in the last week of the Dance Development Residency (on Fri 6th June). Mentors are expected to attend and offer critical feedback and advice on next steps for developing the work further.

As part of their residency, the emerging producer will be working with their mentor to prepare a funding application for this development season of a new dance theatre work. This could be submitted to Wellington City Council Arts and Culture funding (due Aug 2025), or Creative Communities Scheme (Aug 2025 round) or CNZ.

You should apply as a team* using the one application form - the choreographer should apply to the Dance Development Residency and the Producer to the Emerging Producer Residency, as you will both be working on the same submitted project. On the application form complete the relevant sections individually as well as together.

*Preference will be given to a team of applicants, however individuals are still welcome to apply as we may be able to match you with a respective Choreographer or Emerging Producer.

timeline

payment

Choreographer Stipend for 5 weeks $3750

Paid 3 x Extra Dancer/ cast or crew stipend - depending on hours.

Paid Choreographic, Dramaturg or Director Mentor Stipend for 4 sessions including industry showing.

Eligibility

This opportunity is suitable for an emerging dance practitioner/choreographer who has an idea for a new Dance Theatre work that they want to rehearse and develop. You could be a recent graduate but you don’t need to have a dance degree to apply. You should have been involved in previous dance productions and have evidence of this with images, video and in your CV.

Applicants must be:

·        New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

·        Wellington based emerging dancer/choreographer

·        Currently residing in Wellington City* and be intending to live in Wellington for at least one year after they complete the residency.

* Wellington City based New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.  You must have a current Wellington City address at the time of application. If you are short listed you will be required to verify this address and your NZ residency status.

Assessment

An independent panel appointed by Toi Pōneke will select the successful candidate.

Applicants will be assessed on the following:

• artistic merits of previous work and proposed work

• your work experience - background CV

• Aho Tini Strategic Outcomes - connection with communities

• artistic aspirations during the residency

• future aspirations and outcomes for the project

Terms and conditions

Successful applicants will be required to sign the Toi Pōneke Dance Development Residency Agreement before any payments are made.

How to apply

When applying for this residency you should apply as a team* using the one application form - the choreographer should apply to the Dance Development Residency and the Producer to the Emerging Producer Residency, as you will both be working on the same submitted project. On the application form, complete the relevant sections individually as well as together.

*Preference will be given to a team of applicants, however individuals are still welcome to apply as we may be able to match you with a respective Choreographer or Emerging Producer.

Applications will include:

1.     A filled in application form – Click to download application form as word doc.

2.     Attach CV’s for all personnel working on the project

Please do not send multiple emails or messages.

Please combine all of your documents into one PDF.

To apply, upload your PDF to our One Drive folder below.

Any questions regarding this opportunity please email:
Sascha Perfect – sascha.perfect@wcc.govt.nz -  Public Programmer, Toi Pōneke Arts Centre.

Key Dates

2024

December
Call for submissions

2025

25 February
Applications close at 5pm

17 - 18 March
Selection panel meet

18 March
Recipient announced

28 April - 2 May
1st mentoring session - pre residency starting

5 May
Morning tea welcome to Toi Pōneke.
Residency at Toi Pōneke Dance Studio begins - 5 week rehearsal run

Friday 6th June
Industry Showing

8 June
Residency finishes