Loisto

Loisto (transl. ‘shine’) is a joint project between Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Cirko – Centre for New Circus, and Dance House Helsinki, which acts as a driving force for the sustainable internationalization of dance and circus. The project will bring about significant structural changes in the Finnish dance and circus field, which are crucial for international success and, through it, the strengthening of the fields and growth in employment.

Between 2025 and 2028, we will develop new operating models for effective distribution and promotion of productions, long-term co-production and touring, and strengthening the production environment in Finland. The models are based on a vision of an internationalized Finnish dance and circus field, which is based on a networked and reciprocal co-production and touring environment and the intermediary activities that support it.

The operating models are based on extensive research and benchmarking work carried out by the partners between 2022 and 2024.

The project aims to create a more international and sustainable operating environment for Finnish dance and circus:

• by building our distribution activities on a sustainable basis
• by strengthening co-production and increasing our co-production partnerships
• by increasing network-based cooperation
• by developing artists' careers, international activities, competitiveness, and expertise
• by strengthening international brands and increasing our visibility
• by strengthening our mutual cooperation
• by strengthening the production environment in Finland to meet the requirements of internationalization

During the project, we aim to establish new operating models, which include Zodiak's distribution and promotional activities that begins already in the pre-production phase, and Cirko's co-production and touring network w/. We bring international programmers and artists together and invite programmers to see performances and work-in-progress presentations. We will strengthen the production environment in Finland by increasing expertise and sharing know-how, for example through our monthly Open offices. We will intensify our mutual cooperation through competence development, promotional activities, our roles as main production and performance platforms in Finland, and advocacy toward decision-makers and funders. 

The long-term effects of the development work are:

• extending the life cycle of works
• increasing employment among artists
• the integration of the dance and circus sector in Finland into the international production and performance environment
• the strengthening of co-production expertise in the fields of dance and circus
• an increase in the quality, impact, and economic volume of artistic production
• growth in dance and circus audiences in Finland and internationally
• strengthening of the sectors' operating structures, appeal, and vitality

The Loisto 2025–2028 project is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and administered by Zodiak.

Proof-of-concept project 2022–2024

The Loisto project 2022–2024 was a joint project between Zodiak, Cirko, and Dance House Helsinki, with the aim of developing the international distribution and marketing of dance and circus, as well as production and touring activities, and increasing knowledge. The aim was to conduct extensive research and benchmarking on issues related to internationalization and to conceptualize new operating models to overcome these issues.

During the project we carried out eg.:

• an analysis report on development projects for dance and circus touring (2023)
• extensive international benchmarking of touring and co-production models and distribution activities
• market analysis in the Nordic countries, Europe, Asia, and the United States
• expanding networks by attending key festivals and professional events
• enhancing and targeting international promotional communications and introducing various CRM (customer relationship management) systems
• collaborating with selected artists and promoting their international visibility and work opportunities
• advocacy toward funders and decision-makers on the challenges and development proposals of internationalization and the operating environment in Finland

The proof-of-concept project was funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.