General Instructions for Applying

The Zodiak Laboratory and Zodiak CoProduction categories are open for all artists at any stage of their professional careers. Zodiak CoCommission category is directed towards artists who already have some experience and who work permanently in Finland.

We encourage all applicants to consider which category would be the optimal environment for your project or concept. Do you have an idea for a performance that you would like to test in the form of a short residence project? Or do you already have a fairly clear plan for the performance idea, working group and maybe even the production model?Or do you have an ambitious vision that needs more work, collaboration partners, funding, a longer development cycle and more development stages to materialise?

A separate application form is available for each category. Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the application forms in advance. A more detailed description of each production category and links to the application forms are available in the corresponding subpages.

Please only apply for one category with each of your projects. This category should be the primary category you are applying for. If you have more than one idea or project, please submit a separate application for each. The curating team also reserves the right to suggest another production category when the entirety of the season's programme begins to take shape.

We are primarily looking for premieres that are performed either on Zodiak Stage or in Dance House Helsinki. However, you can also suggest visiting performances and reruns. These applications should be submitted to the Zodiak CoProductions category. Please note that all Zodiak performances have an entry fee, and audience targets are set for each of them. 

Works by international artist groups featured in Zodiak’s programme are primarily curated through Zodiak’s international networks. In addition, the Side Step Festival has its own separate curatorial process.

We are interested in receiving suggestions for workshops, lectures and other events. These suggestions you can send us any time via email. Contact persons: artistic director Jenni-Elina von Bagh and audience engagement manager Elina Tervonen (workhops). (See Contact Info and Staff)

Zodiak’s Co-production Format

Co-production agreements are not concluded with private individuals, but the working groups selected for the CoProduction or CoCommission categories must have a registered legal entity as a partner at the time of the conclusion of the co-production agreement, which can act as Zodiak's contractual partner and invoice Zodiak for the co-production support. Zodiak still can pay a fee to an individual in the Zodiak Laboratory category.

Together with the productions selected for the programme, we will examine the realistic possibilities of realising the production along the way, up to the conclusion of the co-production contract. Until then, programming decisions are conditional. We recommend taking this into account when discussing with potential working group members. The co-productions agreements are signed approximately one year before the premiere date.

Decision-Making and Conflict of Interest Policy

All programme proposals are reviewed by a three-member programming team consisting of Zodiak's next Artistic Director, the current AD, and one artist member, appointed separately. Final decisions regarding the programme will be made by the new Artistic Director in January 2026. The identities of the artist member will be disclosed in the production decision letters.

Artist members of the programming team may also apply to the programme or be involved in working groups submitting applications. A conflict of interest policy is followed throughout the curatorial process: members of the programming team do not participate in the processing of their own applications. Team members will also recuse themselves from reviewing any applications that involve their family members, partners, or close friends.

Details about Zodiak CoProduction

Details about Zodiak Laboratory

Details about Zodiak CoCommission

Attachments and Work Samples

Attachments to applications:

• Working plan, including description of the workgroup (3 pages maximum)
• Resumés of workgroup members
• Cost estimate and financing plan (not required for Zodiak Laboratory applications)

Naming the members of the workgroup in the production plan is recommended. We consider especially the performers an important part of the artistic idea. If you have any major commitments that will affect your production schedule, please state them in your working plan.

Please include your attachments with the production support application form. Acceptable file formats include PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, XLS, XLSX and ZIP files.

Providing samples of earlier work is recommended. Samples should be provided in the form of online video links provided in the application form. Please also include any passwords or other credentials required to access the video.

For more infromation, please contact:

Jenni-Elina von Bagh, Artistic Director, jenni-elina@zodiak.fi
Tommi Kokkonen, Producer, tommi.kokkonen@zodiak.fi, tel. +358 44 243 3492