OPEN CALL

Application period: 7 April 12:00 am – 21 April 12:00 pm

Between the Books

Contemporary Dance at OBA De Hallen (Amsterdam)

For the program Between the Books, we are inviting young makers to apply for two parts of the series:

• Intimate Portraits – for choreographers
• Bodies, Beats & Books – for choreographers and composers

The performances take place in a unique setting among the bookshelves of OBA De Hallen, where the library is transformed into an intimate performance space. Audience and performers share the space closely, creating a direct and personal experience.

This series provides a platform for new work, experimentation, and meaningful encounters with audiences.

Performances will be presented during Second Saturdays Dance, running from September 2026 to February 2027, with each piece performed once during the series.

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Intimate Portraits

6 choreographers

Intimate Portraits presents short choreographies in which makers explore personal, cultural, or social themes.

Each selected choreographer will create a 15–20 minute work for 1–2 dancers.

What we offer

• Fee: €350 per dancer/choreographer in the piece (maximum of 3 participants per work)
• Presentation at OBA De Hallen, including an artist talk with a moderator and audience
• Coaching in choreography and/or dramaturgy
• 15 hours of studio time at Belcampo Loft
• Video and audio recordings
• Presence of invited guests from the professional dance field

The focus of this series is on artistic voice, content, and proximity between performer and audience.

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Bodies, Beats & Books

6 choreographers & 6 composers

For this new series we are looking for choreographers who want to create work to newly composed music, and composers interested in developing music specifically for dance.

Selected participants will be paired into creative duos to develop short choreographic miniatures in which movement and newly composed music interact closely.

This series aims to give emerging makers the opportunity to expand their artistic practice through interdisciplinary collaboration.

You may apply:

• as a choreographer
• as a composer
• as an existing duo

What we offer

• Fee: €350 per participant for the presentation
• Presentation at OBA De Hallen, including a post-performance artist talk with the audience
• Coaching throughout the creation process
• 15 hours of studio time at Belcampo Loft to develop new work together
• Video and audio recordings
• Presence of invited guests from the professional dance field

The works will be presented live in an intimate setting where audiences encounter these new creations for the first time.

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Who can apply?

We are looking for emerging professional makers who:

• are based in the Netherlands
• want to further develop their artistic voice and skills
• have an interest in experimentation and collaboration

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Application

Please fill out our Jotform with the following information:

• Short motivation (max. 100 words)
• CV / bio
• Description of your (initial) concept (max. 100 words)
• Trailer or excerpt of previous work (1–2 minutes) through a Youtube or Vimeo link

Application perio: April 7th – April 21st, 2026
Applications will be reviewed by the artistic leadership and coaches of the program.

Funding is currently pending; the program will proceed subject to available budget.

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