The aim of the explore dance network, which was established in 2018 by several federal states, is to develop a sustainable structure for the production of contemporary dance pieces for young audiences and to fill the gap that still exists in the cultural. Through the production, facilitation and reception of dance pieces, the cooperative, federalistic cultural concept of explore dance establishes and expands the field of dance for young audiences throughout Germany with a high level of artistic quality.
Giving children and young people access to cultural participation is one of the most fundamental tasks of cultural policies. However, in the field of dance, this has so far mostly been through the funding of temporary projects that do not allow for a sustainable continuity of work.
explore dance wants to give all children and young people access to dance as an art form and enable them to participate in artistic experiences, regardless of where they live or of their social background. In doing so the network also strengthens the visibility in the long term: contemporary dance is to be anchored permanently and on an equal footing with other art forms and genres in the standard programme of cultural activities available to children and young people.
explore dance is therefore developed into a national network of dance for young audiences, which will enable children and young people to enjoy and actively participate in dance as an art form on the basis of an innovative structure that spans all of Germany’s federal states.
From the start of the second funding phase of TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund in July 2022 onwards, the network will expand to include a fourth partner: HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts. explore dance will devote itself until the end of 2023 to expanding our programmes for children and young people by extensively touring multiple commissioned mobile pop-up dance productions.
Nine experienced choreographers and teams are developing dance pieces in all four cities that provide access to the art form of dance beyond the theatre stage – for example: in school classrooms, museums, public spaces or cultural centres. Children and young people are actively involved in all phases of the artistic work processes. Festivals with expert meetings bundle the productions and offer space for nationwide and international exchange, as well as dialogue on cultural and educational policies.
