Circus & Dance Finland, in collaboration with the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux and TINFO, is organising a networking trip to Belgium from 28 September to 2 October 2026. Circus, dance and performance artists/producers will explore the Belgian performing arts scene over five days.
To read the full call in Finnish please visit the Circus & Dance Finland website.
A total of six circus and dance artists/producers will be selected for the Belgium networking trip. In addition, TINFO is offering travel support for two performance artists. Participants are required to actively participate in the programme and present their own work and organisation.
The programme
The intensive programme includes meetings with local actors, venue visits, networking events and a workshop. The trip will be directed to cities significant for the performing arts: Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. The goal is to visit and network with performing arts houses and actors such as Les Halles de Schaerbeek (Brussels), KVS (Brussels), CAMPO (Ghent) and VIERNULVIER (Ghent), DE SINGEL (Antwerp). A Belgian agency will organise a workshop in Brussels, where participants will learn more about the Belgian performing arts field and cultural actors. We will also attend at least one performance together.
Who can apply
Finland-based circus, dance and performance art professionals, producers and artists who already have experience of international work and want to get to know the Belgian performing arts field and actors better and find international work opportunities.
Travel and accommodation support
Circus & Dance Finland will support travel and accommodation costs of altogether six circus and dance artists/producers with a maximum of 1000 euros per person (receipts needed). TINFO will support travel and accommodation costs of two performance artists/producers with a maximum of 1000 euros per person. The travel support is intended for flight/ship/train travel from Finland to Belgium and for five nights’ accommodation in Belgium. In addition, the organisers will take care of the costs of the workshop, networking event, tickets to one performance and the train travels between Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. Considering the price level and travel costs in Belgium, it is possible that the costs will exceed the amount of the support.
The programme will become more detailed closer to the trip, and Circus & Dance Finland informs those selected about the schedule and other travel arrangements.
NOTE: Participants commit to report about their trip. Details will be agreed separately with the participants.
How to apply for the networking trip
Submit your application by 20 May 2026 using the application form below. Applicants will be informed about the decisions latest by 5 June 2026.
For any questions please contact:
Lotta Nevalainen, Head of International Development (Circus) at lotta.nevalainen@circusdance.fi
Petra Hannus, Senior Advisor (International Development, Dance) at petra.hannus@circusdance.fi
Regarding questions on accessibility and Safer Spaces Principles, please feel free to contact the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux’s Head of Programme, Malin Bergström at malin.bergstrom@finncult.be.
Circus & Dance Finland is partially funding the Belgium networking trip with the Internationalisation grant granted by the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency.
Other open calls in 2026:
Circus & Dance Finland will organise a networking trip to the Cinars Biennale in November 2026 and will collaborate with the Dance House’s study trip to London in October. Open calls for these trips will open in May.