IDEE helps dance artists develop their creative output at a pan-European level and encourages the development of new forms of exchange in dance and performance.

Founded by seven European dance houses and supported by the EU's Culture 2000 programme, it aims (over a 3-year period) to boost the profile of dance houses and strengthen their position in the cultural-political landscape.

Opening the works to the audience

IDEE focuses on adaptating productions to suit the spaces in which they are to be performed. A series of individual measures offer artists in Europe optimal working and presentational opportunities. Additionally, IDEE helps out audiences by placing productions in context, providing important background information.

Productions are 'adapted' in the following ways:

· invited experts help the audience to become better acquainted with the artists’ work;

· onsite lectures, films, and videos further explain the artistic practices of the invited artists and give information on the work's artistic and cultural context;

· the audience is invited to take part in post-performance discussions and/or smaller receptions at which contact between audience members, guests and colleagues can be made;

· appropriate infrastructural and rehearsal conditions are put in place to suit the situation in each country;

· special IDEE programme booklets are provided.

Such adaptations internationalise young artists’ work, and mean that the work is better received by audiences across different regional milieus. Guest performances, co-productions and open formats promote exchange and dialogue between the art scene and audience.

The project's main aims are:

• to develop new forms of exchange for dance/performance art

• to work on the special adaptation, contextualisation and mediation of artistic practice

• to involve artists in advanced presentation and research modules

• to support young up-and-coming artists

• to enhance cooperation between dance houses during the start up phase (with special regard for the development of dance houses in South East Europe)

• to exchange knowledge and enable the profile of the dance house to evolve.

The longer-term prospects are that:
- young artists and groups will take advantage of the know-how, contacts, etc., and develop their own specific approaches to cultural exchange in Europe;
- the dialogue between young artists and leading experts will lead to new, quality-oriented forms of exchange and mobility in Europe;
- guest performances, productions and other regionally-specific artistic projects will be optimally communicated in the European context;
- new dance-specific houses will be founded (with IDEE's encouragement) in Europe and elsewhere.

IDEE initiatives deal with special exchange formats for young artists, thinkers/writers in residence, and laboratories for cultural exchange.

In 2005, the IDEE partners decided to adopt two additional focuses for their activities.

Firstly, they inaugurated the Carte Blanche model. This initiative gives young choreographers and dancers (aged 30 or under) the opportunity to make new contacts in Europe or deepen contacts they already have by visiting a partner institute of their own choice in one of the other countries. Here they can take part, free of charge, in classes and workshops, attend performances, or even work in a studio. In IDEE's first year, the Carte Blanche model was rated extremely highly by participants.

Secondly, the partners decided to have a Writer/Thinker in Residence accompany the overall IDEE programme – also for one year at a time. This person observes the network in a critical and reflective manner, assisting with content and analysing proceedings. This view from outside should prove helpful for future plans and schemes. The Bulgarian cultural philosopher and theatre scholar Boyan Manchev provided important input for the partners; his IDEE report drew on numerous visits to IDEE partner houses and his participation at the conference in Cork.

During IDEE's first season, the network partners initiated – in consultation with the artists – extra activities that went beyond the mere presentation of a stage production. These included, for instance, accompanying workshops and master classes, thematically curated panel discussions, and even film presentations and exhibitions. In this way, each production was put into context for the audience, who were given additional insights and perspectives. The keen interest shown by artist and audience alike reveals how essential such backup programmes are for conveying a real understanding of the artistic work that goes into contemporary dance.

Budget

IDEE is a 3-year programme supported by the European Union's Culture 2000 programme.

Total buget for three years: 1,501,417 Euro

• 892,417 Euro comes from the European Commission (Directorate-General for Education and Culture)

• The applicant and the co-organisers undertake to contribute the sum of approx. 609,000 Euro from their own funds.

Associated partners neither contribute nor benefit financially. The main aim is to exchange artistic and organisational know-how and experience and to support promising dance venues.

EDN – European Dancehouse Network

The most important European dance houses have joined together with the intention of forming a European Dancehouse Network (EDN). The IDEE partners have been so busy with the project that a decision was made to establish the network at a later date.

The network will have the following goals:

• to enhance cooperation in all artistic contexts, especially with regard to international artistic exchange and with particular attention to Eastern Europe;
• to develop the profile of the dance house and the dance genre;
• to strengthen the position of dance houses within the European and global cultural-political landscape;
• to establish and expand international communication and publicity structures for dance houses (websites, digital newsletters, etc.)

The network will bring more detailed reflection to the development of institutions dedicated to contemporary dance and performance. Over the past decade, the concept of dance house - originally a European idea - has increasingly appealed to cultural policymakers worldwide. Such genre-specific institutions in the dance field are distinguished by the following characteristics:

+ both a local and international orientation;

+ an annual performance season presenting the dance house’s own productions and co-productions, as well as performances by guest artists;

+ continuing education for professionals and amateurs, with dance classes, workshops, and master classes;

+ active, audience- and paractice-orientated communication of dance, theory and research;

+ information centres and social meeting places;

+ the PR task of fostering and representing the dance genre as comprehensively as possible.

Challenges

'It is a challenge to come to artistic choices in only two board meetings per year. In terms of care and responsibility for artists, it would be better to increase the number of meetings. Regarding time and finances, this does not seem feasible.'

- Silvia Marz-Wagner, IDEE coordination

What this experience taught…

'Within 18 months, IDEE has managed to act as a Europe-wide lobby for the continued existence or new establishment of dance houses in Europe. IDEE has shouldered responsibilities in the field of cultural politics that individual houses could never have managed on their own.

Furthermore, IDEE has become the contact point for houses that are in the process of development, and has regular contact and shares its views and ideas with Belgrade, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Malta. In all these countries, efforts are being made on the political-cultural level to enhance the status of the discipline by founding dedicated institutions.

IDEE provides the new directors with the necessary know-how and information, which is particularly valuable during the foundation phase. So a network like IDEE can definitely fulfil an important role in the cultural landscape and strengthen the position of the discipline itself and bring contemporary dance and performance more into the focus of cultural politicians and public view.'

- Angela Glechner - IDEE coordinator

The IDEE project was started in May 2005 on the initiative of seven European dance houses. The project's founder is Tanzquartier Wien, which is also the leading organiser of IDEE over its 3-year duration.

At twice-yearly joint meetings, co-organisers and associate partners propose artists and their projects (productions, guest performances, open formats). As a rule, an artist and his or her project will only receive IDEE backing when at least two of the IDEE co-organisers declare an interest in it.