About the program
The program is a continuation of a city-level intervention initiated by the Poznań dance community in early 2024. Our efforts – including conversations with dance and movement artists, groups and collectives, collecting signatures for a petition, performatively submitting the petition to the Department of Culture of the City of Poznań, and follow-up discussions with Director Justyna Makowska – have opened a dialogue on possible solutions to the challenges faced by the local dance scene. These actions have led to collaborative steps and, ultimately, the creation of the Teren tańca program.
The program aims to create free rehearsal space for dance and movement artists in Poznań, in close cooperation with the Polish Dance Theatre and the ZAMEK Culture Centre, enabling professional working conditions for artistic practice. Poznań, as the birthplace of Polish contemporary dance, has immense potential to become one of the leading centers for dance art in Poland. Unfortunately, current issues such as the lack of available rehearsal spaces, limited funding, and insufficient support for artists are contributing to the marginalization of the dance community. The program aims not only to provide physical space but also to offer systemic support that will enable artists to develop their talents and initiatives in Poznań. It is a response to the longstanding challenges faced by the local dance community, including the lack of adequate creative workspaces, insufficient funding, and limited structural support from municipal authorities. As the cradle of Polish contemporary dance, Poznań holds great potential to become a key center for dance art in Poland. However, many talented dancers leave the city after completing their education, leading to stagnation and a weakening of the local dance culture. This project seeks to reverse that trend by ensuring access to rehearsal spaces and encouraging artists to stay and work in Poznań.
The program focuses not only on developing the artistic skills of its participants but also on strengthening the dance community, promoting dance creativity, and increasing access to culture for the local public. Its mission is to create a dynamic ,creative space that will inspire artists to take on new challenges and experiment within the field of dance and movement arts. Through cooperation with leading cultural institutions in Poznań, the program aims to enrich the local artistic landscape and foster social integration through art. In response to the growing needs of dance artists in Poznań, Teren tańca is designed as a comprehensive support initiative for the dance community, promoting the development of dance and movement arts while also improving the working and living conditions of dancers in the city. We also aim to build a lasting infrastructure that will allow Poznań to become one of Poland’s leading centers for dance and movement art. Dance, as a form of art that is accessible to all, has the power to strengthen communities and open up new possibilities for the people of Poznań. Together, we can build a future in which dance holds a rightful place at the heart of our city.
We believe that through cooperation with the city authorities and existing cultural institutions, we will be able to carry out this ambitious plan – contributing to Poznań’s social, cultural, and artistic growth.
Co-financed from the City of Poznań budget.
Name of the public task: Teren tańca – a support program for dance and movement artists in Poznań.
Total value of the public task: 24,500 PLN
Amount of co-financing from the city budget: 20,000 PLN
