Perform EU

This call for proposals will select one single project which will regrant a minimum of 25 projects from all performing arts sub-sectors and disciplines.

The selected project should observe, and analyse the results of the projects which have been selected for granting and publish analysis reports which should include topics such as artists’ working conditions and fair remuneration, sustainable touring routes, inclusion, skills, employment, professions, artistic creation, youth, etc.

The specific objective of this action is to test and implement innovative models through changemaker projects, to rethink touring in the performing arts in a more sustainable, inclusive, diverse and balanced way.

This action addresses applicants that are active in the performing arts sector and have a high sectorial, sub-sectorial representativity and geographical coverage.

Themes and priorities

In line with the current cultural policy priorities, applicants should propose a project contributing to:

1. Overarching EU priorities

Applicants must describe in their application how, in the design and implementation of their project, they intend to contribute to the EU's efforts in terms of greening and digital transitions and respond to the priorities of inclusion and gender equality as well as the international dimension and in the case of this call to support performing arts sector, its sub-sectors through projects involving Ukrainian artists, cultural professionals and organisations working in the performing arts sector.

2. The following specific priorities

• To contribute to further develop and put into practice the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration for artists and cultural professionals based on the recommendations of the Report of the OMC group helping the sector to ‘grow’ in a social, human-centred, artistic, economic and environmental sense, with a long-term perspective.
• To incorporate activities that proactively reach out to people, both performing arts professionals and audiences, from different geographical and socio-economic backgrounds, including the younger generation, in order to ensure their equal access to distribution opportunities and a diverse artistic offer.

This action complements the other initiatives or actions under Creative Europe supporting the performing arts sector within the EU policies and the performing arts sector: the first iteration of Perform Europe over the period 2023-2026 and the European Theatre Initiative. Applicants are encouraged to look for synergies between them.

The projects should be based on the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration of artists and cultural professionals and respect national standards and follow best practices, referring to and using, the Report of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of EU Member States' experts “The status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals” and the “Mutual learning workshop on Access to social protection for artists” report”. Further useful information on this subject is available on the Creatives Unite website. Artists and cultural professionals should be given recognition and visibility, in particular, by being credited on all printed and online communication and dissemination material.

Applications must present a programme of activities that will develop, implement and maintain sustainable models for cross-border touring and digital distribution in the performing arts sector.

They must include at least the 6 following types of activities:

1. The management and the coordination of the overall project;
2. The design, implementation and management of open call(s) to select and regrant at least 25 projects to support cross-border touring and digital distribution of performing arts works. These projects will be managed under the provisions of “financial support to third parties” (see section 6 of the Call document - Eligible activities) and implemented in the countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme (see section 6 of the Call document);
3. The development of a programme of support and assistance to the grant recipients including training, mentorship and capacity building;
4. The maintenance and the development of the Perform Europe digital platform developed under the first iteration of the action in order to:
   1. collect data, explore, map and analyse how performing arts works are presented across borders;
   2. foster networking and matchmaking and bring visibility to performing and distribution opportunities;
5. The development and the implementation of a communication, dissemination and branding strategy both for the project and for the artists and cultural professionals;
6. The analysis: gathering and dissemination of data: reports on how to ensure good working conditions and fair remuneration in practice; data on the projects and their results, etc.

Under this call for proposals, financial support to third parties is essential to address the type of activity 2. For more details see section 6 of the Call document (Eligibility - Eligible activities).