Open call for a summer residency for a contemporary performance stage – Frequently asked questions
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How do I prepare for an application meeting?
At the application meeting, we hope that you are able to provide background and justify your presentation idea. What kind of presentation do you want to make and why? What kind of relationship does the performance have with the art form(s) it represents? How do you relate the performance to the rest of the field of contemporary art?
In addition to this, we hope that you already have a preliminary plan of how the presentation will be realized: how it will be planned and rehearsed, and what kind of technical resources it will require. The plan does not have to be completely ready, but we want to make sure already during the application process that the proposal can be implemented realistically and sustainably.
You do not need to prepare a visual presentation or a carefully polished text of your proposal, but the situation is in the form of a discussion and the curators are responsible for the progress of the situation. Of course, you can present photo and video material at the meeting if you wish.
I don’t have a working group together yet, can I still apply?
You can participate in the application even if you do not know the entire working group. Please note that the composition of the working group and its relationship to the proposal as a whole will be discussed at the application meeting.
I don’t have existing financing, is it still worth applying?
We do not require existing funding at the application stage. If necessary, the school social worker will support the group in applying for funding and planning applications.
Can I apply with the same proposal with which I participated in the previous call?
You can participate in the application again with the same proposal. Please first familiarise yourself with this year’s call for applications and make sure that your proposal still meets the application criteria.
Why is the call aimed at artists working in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area?
The stage of the contemporary performance is part of the Helsinki City Theatre and thus aims to meet the resource needs of artists working in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. We also want to make sure that the selected group does not incur unreasonable additional costs for accommodation and travel.
Why is there no production support included in the residency?
The purpose of the summer residency on the stage of a contemporary performance is to provide artists in the independent field with space and time for artistic thinking by utilising existing spatial resources. The summer residency takes place mainly during the theatre’s permanent staff’s holiday period in June-July, when it takes place outside the theatre’s traditional production model and working hours. Thus, the working groups organize their working hours and production independently.
How does the application process proceed?
After the application meetings, the curator will make a shortlist of the proposals, which he will present to the artistic director of the City Theatre. Based on the feedback received from them, a follow-up meeting will be held with the shortlisted filmmakers. After this, one proposal for a summer residency will be selected from the shortlist. We aim to confirm the selection by the end of the year.
Can I get personal feedback on my application?
We will send applicants information about this year’s application process and the criteria that affected the final admissions by email. The school social worker will also try to include short application-specific feedback in the messages.
Will there be any permanent theatre staff present during the residency?
The residency begins with a separately agreed orientation period at the end of May, during which the working group can work side by side with the permanent staff of Pasila. In June and July, the staff of Pasila is on summer vacation. However, during the residency, it is possible to be in contact with the technician on duty by phone if problems arise.
How many permanent staff are there in Pasila?
Pasila employs a stage manager, a lighting master, an assistant master, two stage managers, a dresser and an organiser and prop manager.
What kind of technical resources are included in the residency?
The residency includes the basic technical resources of Studio Pasila. The theatre hall has easy-to-carry bridges through the space, so the direction of lights, for example, is effortless. Please note that the placement of the PA is not modifiable and there are no high-quality video projectors available in Pasila. As a rule, it is not possible to borrow equipment from other HKT stages for the residency. Possible technical rentals for external equipment are the expenses of the working group.
The working group selected for the residency can make introductory visits to the premises of Studio Pasila before the start of the actual residency period. The permanent staff will familiarise the designers of the residency group with the technology of the theatre space.
Studio Pasila’s technical information can be found here.
What kind of material and production resources are included in the residency?
The residency does not include the workshop resources of HKT’s main building or the working hours of the staff of other departments (set design, costume design, camouflage, etc.). When planning your work, please note that the permanent staff of the stage will not be present in June-July. The residency includes working time with the curator of the Contemporary Performance Stage. HKT is responsible for ticket sales and lobby services during the performance season.
Are there dance mats in Studio Pasila?
No, it is not. Any dance mats must be purchased separately by the working group.
Is the sound and light driving of the performances the responsibility of the working group?
As a rule, the lighting and sound of the performances is the responsibility of the working group, but this can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Light and sound driving takes place in the QLab environment, and the forwarder is an MA2 light table.
What communication and marketing measures are included in the residency?
The residency performance is marketed as part of the theatre’s seasonal programme on the theatre’s website and in the season brochure. The marketing schedule will be reviewed in the autumn preceding the residency summer. The promo photos and preliminary text of the performance are required during the March preceding the residency.
Is the residency working group employed by the Helsinki City Theatre?
The working group and its members are not in an employment relationship with the City Theatre. HKT is not responsible for e.g. accident insurance of the members of the working group.
What are the responsibilities of the working group?
The working group is responsible for the costs and organisation of production, such as insurance and financing of the work, as well as the obligations related to funding and possible copyrights. The working group is also responsible for the rental or acquisition costs of technology and materials outside Studio Pasila. More detailed areas of responsibility will be recorded in the residency agreement.
Does the residency include post-production?
The rights to the performance remain with the working group after the premiere. The working group independently manages any post-production of the performance.
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Open Call for Summer Residency of the Stage for Contemporary Performance – Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for the application meeting?
In the application meeting, we hope that you can provide background for your performance idea. What kind of performance do you want to create and why? What kind of relationship does the performance have with the art form(s) it represents? How do you position the performance within the broader field of contemporary art?
In addition, we hope that you already have a preliminary plan for how the performance will be realized: how it will be planned and rehearsed, and what kind of technical resources it will require. The plan does not need to be fully finalized, but we want to ensure already during the application process that the proposal can be carried out realistically and sustainably.
You do not need to prepare a visual presentation or a carefully polished text about your proposal — the situation will be conversational, and the curators will guide the discussion. However, if you wish, you may present visual and video material during the meeting.
I don’t have a complete working group yet. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can apply even if you don’t have a full working group assembled. However, please note that the composition of the working group and its relationship to the overall performance will be discussed during the application meeting.
I don’t have any funding yet. Is it still worth applying?
Existing funding is not required at the application stage. The curator will support the group in seeking funding and planning grant applications if needed.
Can I apply with the same proposal I submitted in a previous call?
Yes, you can reapply with the same proposal. However, please first review this year’s application announcement and ensure that your proposal still meets the current criteria.
Why is the application only open to artists based in the Helsinki metropolitan area?
The Stage for Contemporary Performance is part of the Helsinki City Theatre and aims to meet the resource needs of artists working in the Helsinki metropolitan area. We also want to ensure that the selected group does not incur excessive additional costs for accommodation and travel.
Why does the residency not include production support?
The purpose of the summer residency on the Stage for Contemporary Performance is to provide independent artists with time and space for artistic thinking, using the theatre’s existing resources. The residency takes place primarily during the regular staff’s summer break in June and July, outside of the theatre’s traditional production model and working hours. Therefore, the working groups will organize their schedules and productions independently.
What is the application process?
After the application meetings, the curator will create a shortlist of proposals, which will be presented to the artistic leadership of the Helsinki City Theatre. Based on their feedback, follow-up meetings will be held with shortlisted applicants. One proposal will be selected for the summer residency from the shortlist. We aim to confirm the selection by the end of the year.
Can I receive personal feedback on my application?
We will send applicants information via email about this year’s call and the criteria that influenced the final selection. When possible, the curator will include brief, proposal-specific feedback in these emails.
Will there be permanent staff present at the theatre during the residency?
The residency begins with an orientation session at the end of May, during which the working group can work alongside the permanent staff at Pasila. In June and July, the Pasila staff will be on summer vacation. However, in case of problems, it is possible to contact an on-call technician by phone.
How many permanent staff members are there at Pasila?
The Pasila team includes a stage manager, lighting manager, assistant manager, two stage managers, a dresser, and a prop coordinator.
What technical resources are available during the residency?
The residency includes the basic technical resources of Studio Pasila. The theatre hall has easily movable bridges across the space, making light positioning straightforward. Please note that the PA system’s placement cannot be altered, and there are no high-quality video projectors available at Pasila. Generally, equipment cannot be borrowed from other HKT stages for the residency. Any technical equipment rentals from external sources will be the responsibility of the working group.
The selected working group may arrange visits to Studio Pasila before the residency period begins. The permanent staff will familiarize the residency team’s designers with the theatre’s technical facilities.
The technical list of studio Pasila can be found here.
What material and production resources are included in the residency?
The residency does not include access to the workshop resources of HKT’s main building or staff time from other departments (scenography, costume, makeup, etc.). When planning, please note that the permanent theatre staff will not be present in June and July. The residency includes time with the curator of the Stage for Contemporary Performance. HKT is responsible for ticket sales and front-of-house services during the performance season.
Are there dance mats available at Studio Pasila?
No, there are no dance mats. If needed, the working group must obtain them separately.
Is the working group responsible for sound and lighting during performances?
The working group is primarily responsible for sound and lighting during performances, but this can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Sound and lighting are operated in a QLab environment, with an MA2 lighting console.
What communication and marketing activities are included in the residency?
The residency performance will be marketed as part of the theatre’s seasonal program on the website and in the seasonal brochure. The marketing schedule will be discussed in the autumn before the residency summer. Promotional photos and a preliminary performance text will be required by March before the residency begins.
Are members of the residency working group employed by the Helsinki City Theatre?
The working group and its members are not employed by the Helsinki City Theatre. HKT does not cover, for example, accident insurance for the working group members.
What responsibilities belong to the working group?
The working group is responsible for production costs and arrangements, such as securing insurance and funding for their work, fulfilling any financial obligations, and addressing copyright issues. The group is also responsible for the rental or purchase of any external technical equipment and materials. Detailed responsibilities will be outlined in the residency agreement.
Does the residency include post-production?
The rights to the performance remain with the working group after the premiere. The group independently manages any post-production of the performance.