Open call for PERFORMNORD 2027

NORDIC PLATFORM FOR PERFORMANCE ART
COPENHAGEN / SEPT. 2027

The first international platform for performance art from the Nordic countries is being held in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2-12 September 2027

Application deadline: 18 September 2026

 

1. VISION
The main aim of PERFORMNORD is to put focus on performance art in order to strengthen and develop awareness and improve conditions of this interdisciplinary art form in the Nordic countries, and in particular to situate and promote Nordic performance art in an international context.

The project is initiated by the Danish Arts Foundation (Performing Arts Committee) and supported by/in collaboration with national funding bodies of Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden:

Performing Arts Iceland, Icelandic Art Centre, Theatre Information Centre Finland, FRAME Finland, Performing Arts Hub Norway, Office of Contemporary Art Norway & Konstnärsnämden Sweden.

Copenhagen International Theatre / Metropolis has been selected to produce the event, which is potentially the first of a series of rotating Nordic performance biennales. The programme selection will be made by a Nordic expert panel.

2. PROGRAMME
The programme will aim to present the qualities and depth of the diverse and vibrant Nordic performance art field for inspiration and visibility in a Nordic and international context.

The programme will include a professional platform (2-5 September) with invited international programmers/professionals plus a public programme (2-12 September).

The hub of PERFORMNORD will be located on Refshaleøen, the former shipyard of Copenhagen, but events will be programmed city-wide.

PERFORMNORD will present ARTISTS, ARTISTIC PRACTICES, PERFORMANCES/WORKS as well as a FRAMING programme with exhibitions, dialogue and workshops.

3. ARTISTS
We are inviting artists and groups who define themselves as PERFORMANCE ARTISTS to apply for participation.

This first platform will invite 40-50 key Nordic professional PERFORMANCE artists who see their work in an international context in order to support them to form international collaborations.

The programme will include both individual solo works, group works and collaborative/site-based creations.

The call is open for Nordic and international professional artists living and working in the Nordic countries. The call is also open for Nordic professional artists practicing their work in other countries.

4. PROFESSIONAL PLATFORM & PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME
• Artists must be available for the professional platform 2-5 Sept.
• Artists will be asked if they are available for possible inclusion in the public programme, which runs until 12 Sept.
• The public programme will be curated by Copenhagen International Theatre / Metropolis. Selected productions will have an extended run as part of Metropolis’ programme focused on site-specific and site-sensitive work.

5. PRESENTATION FORMATS
PERFORMNORD aims to profile key figures/actors in the Nordic performance art field on three programme platforms:
• a live performance programme in formal and non-formal venues, site-specific and in public spaces
• a programme of studio presentations, where material, media, etc. can frame presentations
• a focused dialogue programme of talks, interviews and workshops

6. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
PERFORMNORD commits to cover costs of travel, lodging, local logistics plus a participation fee for selected artists based on expected support made available from the individual Nordic national arts agencies and independent foundations.

7. SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will be based on the open call.
• The secretariat will make a practical assessment of eligibility.
• The individual panel members will assess applications from their own country and prioritize.
• The Nordic panel will evaluate all prioritised artists according to sub-genre, artistic qualities, format qualities, international potential, logistics, etc. Deadline 15 December 2026.

The panel may also reach out to individual artists.
The selected artists will receive a pre-invitation to PERFORMNORD immediately after 15 Dec. 2026.
The secretariat will be in contact with the national arts funding agencies to secure travel grants / funding for the selected artists. As each country has individual procedures and deadlines, we have set a common deadline for final programme confirmation 15 March 2027.

8. APPLICATIONS
For interested artists, please read the guidelines:

APPLICATION GUIDELINES (click to read)

*APPLY HERE*

Deadline: 18 September 2026

Note! We are inviting potential applicants to a series of 3 online webinars where we will inform about the initiative, the proposed programme and the selection process: 22 July, 5 August, 26 August at 15h00-16h30 CET

To attend, please register and request a link via performnord@kit.dk

PERFORMNORD PANEL

The programme will be compiled by a Nordic panel of 16 experts.

DENMARK Miriam Frandsen, Toaster / Gry Worre Hallberg, Sisters Hope / Henrik Vestergaard & Ellen Friis, Live Art DK / Katrien Verwilt, KIT/Metropolis
SWEDEN Stefan Åkesson, Poste Restante / Elin Lundgren, Lilith Performance Studio / Petra Huisman, Inkonst
FINLAND Jonna Strandberg, Kiasma / Leena Kela, New Performance Turku Biennale / Tero Nauha, Uniarts / Arvid van der Rijt, FRAME
NORWAY Anette Friedrich Johannessen, Performance Art Bergen / Geir Haraldseth, Nasjonalmuseet Oslo
ICELAND Cecilie C. Ragnheiðardóttir Gaihede / Icelandic Arts Center / Agnes Ársælsdóttir, Gerðarsafn – Kópavogur Art Museum
Chair: Trevor Davies, KIT/Metropolis

CONTACT

For questions, please contact Copenhagen International Theatre / Metropolis:
performnord@kit.dk

 

BACKGROUND

Performance art and the contemporary arts scene

The last decade(s) have witnessed a significant interest in performance art as an increasingly relevant and independent art form, which is continually renewing itself as a critical, cross-cutting and highly contemporary genre.

Due to its pioneering and often interdisciplinary nature, performance art often stands in the shadow of related and more structured artistic disciplines when it comes to funding, educational opportunities and communication – even though it is often at the forefront of artistic innovation and societal relevance and can inspire more established disciplines.
This initiative celebrates performance art and challenges this status.

Performance art draws on avantgarde traditions from the 20th century but also on indigenous and rooted cultural practices and often explores new formats generated by current socio-political contexts.

Performance art is a fluid art form situated between the scenic traditions of theatre and dance and the visual arts, but also prevalent in contemporary music, literature, media and architecture.

Performances / works are often created through live actions, gestures, and body presence by the artist or participants. Works can be unscripted or scripted, spontaneous or carefully orchestrated, and often designed to challenge traditional boundaries of art.

Performance art is traditionally associated with individual artistic actions, walks and performances and increasingly larger scale, complex, staged and immersive formats and/or site specific with public participation.

In the context of PERFORMNORD, we see this open definition as a strength and as something that reflects regional differences in the Nordics.

At the same time, we also strongly uphold performance art’s key qualities:
Clear artistic authorship; authenticity and integrity; live performative actions; anchored and enacted in real time; time-based and ephemeral; a strong sense of actuality and resonance of the present; a dynamic relationship with the site/place and the public.

 

Photo: Malthe Folke Ivarsson /Beyond Darkness