The residencies are open to professional artists working in the field of dance. Bora Bora Residency Center selects artists with a focus on artistic relevance and diversity.
Residencies may be for the following purposes
- Research: Early developing and exploration of an artistic idea or practice
- Development: Taking an already developed idea to the next stage
- Exploration: Exploring a new direction of the artistic work and practice
- Post production: Taking up an already premiered work for reflection, further development or preparing it for touring
Applicants are asked to send
- An artistic idea that is relevant to the artistic practice and reflects a need
- A description of the questions, material or areas being researched, and the approach to this work
- A CV with previous artistic experience
- Documentation video of current and/or former works
Criteria for the application
- The artist must have signed at least two professional productions
- Applications with projects involving a single person will not be accepted, but solo works may be considered if they are anchored in a collaborative process
- It is necessary to be able to submit possible residency dates with the application that amount to at least ten weeks, in time intervals of at least two weeks over a season.
- A google login is needed in order to fill out the application form
- Application language: English
The selection is made through shortlisting by producers of Bora Bora and is then curated by the Artistic Council. Artists who have applied will get an answer by mid-May.
In season 24/25 and 25/26, the Artistic Council consists of:
- Samme Raeymaekers (BE), artistic director of Dansens Hus in Oslo
- Sigrid Aakvik (NO), head of the Nordic agency Art & About in Aarhus
Five projects will be selected and invited for residency at Bora Bora Residency Center. Due to the support from Danish foundations, at least two of the five projects must be Danish artists or artists based in Denmark.
The conditions of each residency depends on the artistic project and how this can best be organized by Bora Bora Residency Centre and possibly in collaboration with the host partner.
Typical design and what is covered through the program
- 2-3 weeks paid residency (e.g. fees for 4 participants for 3 weeks)
- Travel and accommodation
- Fee for possible contributor: Researcher, outside eye, dramaturg, etc.
At Bora Bora Residency Center we aim to follow the artists’ work after the residency and keep in touch.
Depending on the project, the needs and wishes of the artist we collaborate on creating an outreach and we would like to communicate on residencies. Therefore artists are requested to:
- Interact with the local community or audience through some sort of encounter (a sharing, a talk, a workshops etc.)
- Contribute with information and visuals on the work for our website and newsletter
- Include the Bora Bora Residency Centre on all future publicity materials relating to the potential work related to the residency
- Give feedback on the process of the residency
What languages do you accept in the application?
As the artistic advisory board consists of people with international backgrounds, which is why we only accept applications in English.
Is there a way to get an overview of the entire application form?
The form is divided into sections and content in will not be deleted if you move forward/backward in the form. However, you may need to fill in mandatory fields to move forward. It is often enough to type a few letters to navigate back and forth between sections and get an overview of what is required.
Can I send multiple applications for several different projects?
Yes. You are very welcome to apply with more than one project, as long as they each have their own application.
What kind of video should I add?
We welcome full length performances, rehearsal and process videos of almost any quality. It’s okay if you only have a work in progress video recorded on a smartphone. Trailers and promotional videos aren’t as useful to us.
Please make sure to include passwords if necessary when using youtube, vimeo, etc.
I forgot to add CV/videos/other, what should I do?
You will not be able to access your application, once it has been sent. If you forgot to include important material in your application, please send it to us in PDF form, clearly marked with the application ID, full name of the applicant as well as the e-mail from which the original application was sent. We will then add it to your application manually. You must send it by the deadline, to residency@bora-bora.dk
If it is after the deadline, you may send updated or extra information to us, but we cannot promise that it will be included in your application.
Can I apply through e-mail to a member of staff at Bora Bora?
No, you cannot. The only way to apply for a residency with the residency centre, is through the application form when it is online.
Can you provide feedback on my application?
Unfortunately we do not have the adequate ressources to provide feedback on applications.
Can we apply as a collective?
Whether you are a collective, a group or a duo of creators, it is definitely possible to apply together with a project. If that’s the case, please make sure to state it clearly in your project description.
One of you has to be the main applicant. This is for administrative purposes only.
Can I apply if I am an artist from another artistic field with an idea that is choreographic or involves dancing?
Yes, you are welcome to apply but it need to be relevant within the frame of the residency program, since it is there to support the artistic development within dance.
Can I apply with a piece that just needs rehearsal space and time?
You are welcome to apply within any stage of your process. You may use this residency opportunity to explore new ideas and work with/gather inspiration for a new direction, new methods, explore new technology or different approaches to working. We only occasionally offer production or postproduction residencies though.
I don’t know who the participants will be yet, can I still apply?
Yes. If you know that you will involve for instance dancers, a set designer, or a composer, but you are not sure who or if they are available, then please write it in your application. We are happy to help you with finding people to work with, if needed after selection.
How many artists/dancers can we bring?
The residency centre can pay artistic fees for up to 12 weeks divided on everybody in the residency, so it depends on the duration of the residency, the artistic need and how well periods can be matched with Bora Bora Residency Centre and our hostpartners.
Can you say more about the budget?
You are welcome to raise additional funding and arrange your own accommodation and travel, to be able to bring more artists if the 12 weeks of shared fees don’t cover the global need. The weekly artistic fee is 7.000 DKR. which is around 940 Euros. We can not pay per diems but we pay travels and accommodation. Not all residencies use the 12 weeks of fees however.
When is the next deadline?
Spring 2025
I missed the deadline by seconds/minutes/hours/days, can I still apply?
No, unfortunately we do not have the capacity to go through late applications, as the selection process will take place immediately after the deadline.
I have read the application form and it mentions the possibility of inviting a Contributor, what is that?
It’s an expert, outside eye, interviewee, other… You might have a clear idea of someone who could contribute to the process, or you might have some thoughts on what area of expertise, or other types of involvement, that would be useful. The team at Bora Bora can help you find contacts, if your application is successful.
Is the fee for the Contributor a part of the artistic fees covered by the residency?
No, it works like an add-on. The person will be invited into the process to help/challenge/inform you. The residency centre covers accommodation, travel and a fee depending on how much time is spend.
Will the Contributor be there during the whole residency?
As a general guideline, no they will not. A couple of hours or days depending on the role, is usually enough.
Where will the residency take place?
If you have applied for and are granted one of our residencies, you can expect to stay with one of our regional Danish partners, who will host you for the duration of your residency. In some instances we also host residencies at Bora Bora, but we cannot guarantee anything.
What is a “Folk High School” or “Højskole” ?
A “Folk High School” or “Højskole” is a boarding school for typically 18-30 year olds, who want to spend 4-12 months exploring a certain theme or subject. There are no exams and usually the schools have an informal and socially engaging way to approach learning, through subjects such as photography, sports activities, arts, crafts, sustainable eco-farming and a myriad of other things.
Do you offer technical residencies?
Where can I see the technical specifications for each venue?
You can find information about the venues on their respective websites. We will not be able to promise access to certain rooms or stages, as your residency will depend on the general availability of the venues and co-hosts. If you state your technical needs in the application, this will be taken into consideration, when finding the right host for you.
Can we select where we would like to go among the Bora Bora Residency Centre partners & hosts?
You may request a host, if you wish to stay somewhere specific, but all residencies will be subject to availability and will be matched with the host we, in dialogue with you, think will be most beneficial for you and your project.
What is cross-sectorial partners and how can I use them in a residency?
Our cross-sectorial partners are local businesses and organizations, working within different fields, with an interest in or connection to performing arts or creative processes. It’s an option for residency participants, to connect with these partners to exchange knowledge, ideas and experience that might enhance your work, during a residency.
Can we select where we would like to do the residency among the international partner venues?
The international partners and networks are not a part of the Open Call. However, sometimes we find candidates for the exchanges via the Open Call. In the application form we ask if we may contact you if other possibilities arise. The exchanges with our international partners will happen as bilateral exchanges with artists based in Denmark and artists based in the partner country. The artists for these exchanges will be curated in a dialogue between the partners.
I didn’t find what I was looking for, where can I ask my questions?
If you didn’t find the information you needed, try to read through the rest of our website or send an email at residency@bora-bora.dk
