NRW meets #2 - Stepping Stones - Performing Arts Markets, Platforms and Festivals

15 April 2026 | 13:00 – 13:50 CET

Inputs: Karen Toftegaard (cultural entrepreneur and founder of WILDTOPIA), Catherine Launay (production manager at PAP Berlin), and Renae Shadler (choreographer and performer).

Moderators: Anna-Mareen Henke and Kerstin Rosemann

International platforms are key places for visibility, exchange and career development. The second edition of “NRW meets … International Dance” explored the role of festivals, platforms and performing arts markets in the international practice of dance professionals. The 5-minute inputs demonstrated, from both organisational and artistic perspectives, how these formats function as spaces for work and encounter, and which strategies facilitate access. The focus was on preparation, relationship-building and the structural framework conditions of international networking.

1. Strategic preparation as the foundation of international visibility
Targeted preparation is crucial for making the most of international platforms. Artists should arrive with clear questions and objectives, research relevant contacts in advance and make conscious use of formats such as pitches or informal meetings. Collective approaches – such as travelling in groups or with mentors – can also provide guidance and facilitate access to complex international contexts.

2. Networks and relationships as a core working principle
Festivals and performing arts markets are, above all, spaces for encounters, exchange and long-term collaboration – rather than purely commercial venues. Sustainable international work is based on trust, repeated contact and an understanding of different cultural and institutional contexts. Informal encounters and personal exchange play a central role in this. Support structures such as mentoring, peer networks or delegation formats can help to strengthen access and impart knowledge.

3. Example Performing Arts Market Berlin
The Berlin Performing Arts Market distinguishes itself by fostering reciprocal relationships between artists and curators, featuring pitches from both groups to emphasize that programmers need artists just as much as artists need programmers. Its primary purpose is to serve as an experimental space for knowledge exchange, helping artists navigate diverse international ecosystems and understand the specific cultural contexts of different countries' distribution systems. Despite its innovative approach, the market faces significant challenges, including intense competition for limited presentation slots and rising travel costs. The 2026 edition takes place on 12 May in Berlin accompanied by the symposium “Common Grounds – A Get-Together Examining National and International Collaboration in the Independent Performing Arts” on 11 May.