We are excited to announce the Take Care Residency Programme 2023-2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria, dedicated to theatre makers, dramaturgs/playwrigthts and performers who are passionate about exploring innovative approaches to their field. This residency offers a unique opportunity to engage in creative exchange, experiment with new ideas, and develop compelling artistic works. Hosted in the vibrant cultural hub of Sofia, the programme aims to foster collaboration and provide a nurturing environment for artists to thrive.
Programme Overview:
The first leg of the programme takes place in the autumn of 2023.
Duration: 4 weeks (flexible starting dates between September and December 2023)
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Artistic Disciplines: Theatre, Dramaturgy, Performance, Interdisciplinary
Number of Participants: Up to 2 artists (international) until the end of 2023 and up to 5 artists until the end of 2024
Language: English (working knowledge of English is required)
Stipend: Each selected artist wins a modest stipend to cover accommodation and travel costs plus a 500EUR presentation budget, professional photographing of the event and video documentation
Objectives:
- Creative Exploration: Encourage artists to explore innovative approaches and experiment with new ideas in theatre and dramaturgy.
- Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among local and international artists, fostering a diverse and inclusive creative environment.
- Artistic Development: Provide artists with resources, support, and mentorship to develop their artistic projects and enhance their professional skills.
- Community Engagement: Engage with the local community through public presentations, workshops, or interactive events to create a dialogue between artists and audiences.
Note: The selected artists do not have to present a final version of the project they will be working on. A work in-progress event, casual presentation or even an artist talk will be enough to make your first appearance in front of our audiences.
Accommodation: Selected artists will be provided with comfortable shared housing in the historic centre of Sofia, offering a conducive environment for creativity and reflection.
Studio Space: Dedicated small rehearsal and workspaces will be available for artists to develop their projects.
Mentorship and feedback may be provided in case they are requested by the artist.
Cultural Exploration: Participants will have the opportunity to explore Sofia's rich heritage and vibrant cultural life through visits to theatres, galleries, and cultural institutions.
Networking opportunities: In case the project envisages collaboration with local artists/makers, Radar Sofia has an extensive network of partners and collaborators to offer help.
Showcase Opportunities: The residency will culminate in a public showcase, providing artists with the platform to present their work to a diverse audience.
Full-scale production option: At the end of 2024, one of the residents under this programme will have their project selected for full production in Sofia and/or internationally and Radar Sofia will apply for additional funds in order to make this possible in 2025.
Open to theatre makers and dramaturgs of all levels of experience.
Applicants must have completed their academic studies.
Operating knowledge of spoken and written English is required.
International applicants must have a valid passport and be eligible to travel to Bulgaria during the residency period.
Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and artistic growth.
Application Process:
To apply for the "Take Care Residency Programme," please submit the following materials via email to applications@radarsofia.org:
- Artist Statement (max. 500 words): Introduce yourself, your artistic background, and your motivation for participating in the residency.
- Project Proposal (max. 1,000 words): Outline your proposed project, including its objectives, artistic approach, and potential impact.
- Artist Resume/CV: Provide an overview of your artistic experience, including relevant training, productions, and projects.
- Work Samples: Submit up to three work samples that showcase your artistic practice. These can include scripts, performance videos, dramaturgical notes, or any other relevant materials.
- Contact Information: Include your full name, email address, phone number, and country of residence.
Important Dates for 2023:
Application Deadline: July 15, 2023
Interviews with shortlisted participants: August 15-20, 2023
Selection Announcement: after August 20, 2023
Residency Period: September - December 2023 (exact dates to be discussed with selected artists)
New dates will be announced for those who wish to come in 2024.
Why Take Care?
In the world of today, marked by constant challenges and uncertainties, the need for care has become increasingly important. Take Care is an urgent call to recognize the interconnectedness of our lives and to embrace the responsibility we have towards one another and our context/environment. Its theme resonates deeply within the realm of contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, inviting us to explore the profound significance of what care is or could be in our world now.
The arts can serve as a powerful medium for reflection, empathy, and transformation. Through the lens of contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, we can delve into the complexities of our human existence and unveil narratives that foster care, empathy, and social consciousness. The notion of "Take Care" urges us to question, provoke, and reimagine how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the world we live in.
Within this context, our long-term curatorial approach seeks to create a space that nurtures both artists and audiences, offering a sanctuary for exploration, contemplation, and healing. It invites artists, theatre makers, and dramaturgs to delve into the multidimensional concept of care, embracing its diverse manifestations and highlighting the urgency to integrate care into our creative processes, narratives, and interactions.
"Take Care" encourages artists to examine the intricate relationships between care, power dynamics, vulnerability, and resilience. It prompts us to explore how care can be both an act of resistance and a transformative force within the performative world. Artists are invited to interrogate the socio-political structures that impact care, challenging the dominant narratives and envisioning alternative ways of caring for ourselves, our communities, our contemporary context and the planet.
This curatorial journey seeks to foster collaboration, cross-cultural dialogue, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. It aims to bring together artists from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and disciplines, offering a platform for interdisciplinary exploration and co-creation. Through these collective endeavors, we aspire to amplify marginalized voices, celebrate diversity, and challenge the status quo, envisioning a world where care is at the forefront of our collective consciousness.
"Take Care", as always with Radar Sofia, is an initiative that invites audiences to participate actively in this transformative journey. Through immersive performances, interactive installations, and thought-provoking discussions, spectators usually become integral participants, engaged in critical conversations and self-reflection. By creating spaces that encourage empathy, understanding, and solidarity, we aim to inspire individuals to take care of themselves, their communities, and the world at large.
Together, through contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, we believe we can harness the power of storytelling, aesthetic experiences, and internal healing, in order to resist the destructive forces, wherever they may come from.
And as it often happens when we embark on a long journey, let us now wish each other:
“Take care!”
The project in 2023 is implemented with the financial support of the National Culture Fund under the "Programme for the Restoration and Development of Private Cultural Organizations".
