Open call for studio Pasila summer residency – Frequently asked questions
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How do I prepare for an application meeting?
At the application meeting, we hope that you will be able to present and explain your presentation idea clearly. What kind of presentation do you want to make, and why now? Which artists or works have served as references and sources of inspiration for your work or your wider artistic practice?
In addition to the performance idea, we hope that you have a preliminary production plan for the practical implementation of the work and the technical resources required for it. The plan does not have to be completely ready, but since a work to be presented to the public will be created during the residency, we want to make sure already at the application stage that the proposal is realistic and feasible with the resources of Studio Pasila.
If you wish, you can prepare a concise mood board-type compilation of the visual appearance of the work or a short sample of possible choreographic or sound material to support the performance idea. However, there is no need for a polished PowerPoint presentation or a detailed written description. The meeting proceeds most naturally in a conversational manner, and the curator is responsible for its progress.
When preparing for a meeting, a good rule of thumb is to reserve about ten minutes for presenting the presentation idea. After this, the discussion will be deepened together with questions related to the implementation of the work, the working group and the background.
I don’t have a working group together yet, can I still apply?
You can participate in the application even if the entire working group is not yet assembled. Please note, however, that the composition of the working group and any wishes related to it 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. However, please read the feedback you have received earlier and 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?
As a Helsinki-based theatre, we strive to meet the needs of artists operating in our 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 is to provide artists in the independent field with space and time for artistic thinking by utilising existing spatial resources. As the residency will mainly take place during the theatre’s permanent staff holidays in June and July, it will take 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 form a shortlist, which will be presented to the theatre’s artistic director. After this, a second application meeting will be held with the shortlisted working groups. The final selection of the residency working group will be made by the theatre’s artistic director by the end of the year.
Can I get personal feedback on my application?
We will send applicants information about the application process and the criteria that influenced 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 this period, the working group can work in parallel with the permanent staff of Pasila. In June and July, the permanent staff is on summer vacation. However, during the residency, the working group can contact the stage manager on duty if necessary. The staff will return to Pasila at the beginning of August.
How many permanent staff are there in Pasila?
Pasila has a stage manager, a lighting master, a sound master, an assistant master, two stage managers, a dresser and an organiser and prop manager. However, not all staff may be present during the August performance season.
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. The working group is responsible for any rental costs of external equipment. 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 hours with the curator of the residency. 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 driving of the performances is the responsibility of the working group. 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 text of the performance are needed during the February 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 organisation and costs of production, such as insuring the work, funding and related obligations, as well as possible copyright and employer costs. 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?
After the premiere, the rights to the performance remain with the working group, which is independently responsible for the possible continuation of the performance, tours and post-production. Studio Pasila’s and HKT’s equipment will not be available for possible tours after the end of HKT’s performance season.
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Open Call for Studio Pasila Summer Residency – Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for the application meeting?
During the meeting, we hope you will be able to present and contextualize your performance idea clearly. What kind of performance do you want to create, and why now? Which artists or works have served as references and sources of inspiration for this performance or for your broader artistic practice?
In addition to the artistic concept, we would like you to have a preliminary production plan for the practical realization of the work and the technical resources it requires. The plan does not need to be fully finalized. However, since the residency culminates in a public presentation, we want to ensure already during the application phase that the proposal is realistic and feasible within studio Pasila’s resources.
If you wish, you may prepare a concise mood board illustrating the visuality of the work or a short sample of possible choreographic or sound material. A polished PowerPoint presentation or detailed written description is not required. The meeting is intended to be conversational, and the curator will guide the discussion.
As a rule of thumb, prepare to spend about ten minutes presenting your performance idea. The discussion will then be deepened through questions related to the realization of the work, the working group, and the artistic background of the project.
I do not yet have a complete working group. Can I still apply?
Yes. You may apply even if your full working group is not complete. Please note, however, that the composition of the working group and any related wishes will be discussed during the application meeting.
I do not have any existing funding. Can I still apply?
Yes. Existing funding is not required at the application stage. If needed, the curator will support the group in identifying funding opportunities and planning grant applications.
Can I apply with the same proposal I used in a previous application round?
Yes. You may reapply with the same proposal. However, please review any feedback you previously received as well as this year’s call for applications and ensure that your proposal still meets the eligibility criteria.
Why is the call aimed at artists working in the Helsinki metropolitan area?
As a Helsinki-based theatre, we seek to respond to the needs of artists working within our region. We also want to ensure that the selected group does not incur unreasonable accommodation and travel expenses.
Why does the residency not include production funding?
The purpose of the summer residency is to provide independent artists with space and time for artistic thinking by utilizing existing venue resources. Because the residency takes place primarily during the permanent theatre staff’s summer holiday period in June and July, it falls outside the theatre’s traditional production model and working schedule. Therefore, working groups organize their schedules and productions independently.
How does the application process proceed?
After the application meetings, the curator will create a shortlist to be presented to the theatre’s artistic leadership. A second application meeting will then be held with the shortlisted working groups. The theatre’s Artistic Director will make the final selection of the residency group by the end of the year.
Can I receive personalized feedback on my application?
Applicants will receive information by email regarding the application process and the criteria influencing the final selections. The curator aims to include brief application-specific feedback in these communications whenever possible.
Will theatre staff be present during the residency?
The residency begins with an orientation period at the end of May, to be scheduled separately. During this period, the working group may work alongside Studio Pasila’s staff.
The staff will be on summer holiday during June and July. However, the residency group may contact the on-call stage manager when necessary. Staff return to Pasila at the beginning of August.
How much permanent staff does studio Pasila have?
Studio Pasila employs a stage manager, lighting supervisor, sound supervisor, assistant stage manager, two stage technicians, a dresser, and a front-of-house/props coordinator. Not all staff members may be present during the August performance season.
What technical resources are included in the residency?
The residency includes studio Pasila’s standard technical resources. The theatre space has easily accessible catwalks throughout the venue, making tasks such as lighting focus straightforward.
Please note that the PA system configuration cannot be altered, and Studio Pasila does not have high-quality video projectors available as standard equipment. In principle, equipment cannot be borrowed from other Helsinki City Theatre venues. Any rental costs for external equipment are the responsibility of the working group.
The selected residency group may visit studio Pasila before the residency period begins. Permanent staff will introduce the residency group’s designers to the theatre’s technical systems.
Technical specifications for studio Pasila can be found here.
What material and production resources are included in the residency?
The residency does not include access to workshop resources from Helsinki City Theatre’s main building or working time from staff in other departments (set construction, costume department, makeup, etc.).
When planning your work, please note that the Pasila staff are not present during June and July. The residency does include working time with the residency curator. Helsinki City Theatre is responsible for ticket sales and front-of-house services during the performance run.
Does Studio Pasila have dance flooring?
No. Any dance flooring required must be sourced separately by the working group.
Is the operation of sound and lighting during performances the responsibility of the working group?
Yes. The working group is generally responsible for running sound and lighting during performances. Sound and lighting cues are operated within the QLab environment, and an MA2 lighting console is used as the control system.
What communications and marketing activities are included in the residency?
The residency production will be marketed as part of the theatre’s seasonal programme on the website and in the seasonal brochure. The marketing schedule will be reviewed during the autumn preceding the residency summer.
Promotional photographs and text must be submitted by February prior to the residency.
Is the residency group employed by Helsinki City Theatre?
No. The working group and its members are not employees of Helsinki City Theatre. For example, the theatre does not provide accident insurance for members of the working group.
What responsibilities belong to the working group?
The working group is responsible for organizing and financing the production, including insurance, funding and associated obligations, as well as any copyright and employer-related costs.
The group is also responsible for rental or purchase costs of any technical equipment or materials not available at studio Pasila. More detailed responsibilities will be specified in the residency agreement.
Does the residency include post-production support?
No. After the premiere, the rights to the performance remain with the working group. The group is independently responsible for any future life of the work, including touring and post-production activities. The equipment and resources of Studio Pasila and the Helsinki City Theatre will not be available for any tours after the end of the Helsinki City Theatre’s performance run.