performing arts Residency exchange

2026/27 Open Call

Cairde Sligo Arts Festival (Ireland) and Centre d’Investigació Escènica / Ciclop Festival (Sineu, Mallorca) are joining forces to create new opportunities for performing artists from Ireland and the Balearic Islands. The programme aims to support the development of new work while fostering artistic exchange between the two regions.

2026 marks the first edition of this exchange programme, comprising two residencies for each selected company/collective in 2026, followed by a work-in-progress presentation at both Cairde Festival and Ciclop Festival in 2027. 

This project has been made possible with the support of The Arts Council of Ireland’s International Residency Initiative Scheme (IRIS).   

Further support has been made available through Sligo Arts Service.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

This open call is aimed at performing arts companies and collectives of up to three people working in the fields of circus, dance and/or physical theatre. Multi-, cross- or inter-disciplinary applications are welcome. As the residency takes place across two regions with different languages, projects should not be text-heavy.

For artists applying from Spain, the core members of the residency team must have been born in or be currently based in the Balearic Islands.

For artists applying from Ireland, at least ONE member of the residency team must be currently based in County Sligo.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

The two residencies will take place on the following dates:

• Sineu: 5–17 October 2026

• Sligo: 2–14 November 2026

The work-in-progress presentations will take place during the two festivals in 2027:

• Cairde: 3 to 10 July 2027

• Ciclop: 17–19 September 2027

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The selected artists will receive:

• 2x two-week residencies, in Sineu and Sligo (2026)

• 2x work-in-progress presentations at Cairde Festival and Ciclop Festival (2027)

• travel, accommodation and per diems while staying abroad

• fees for both residencies and work-in-progress presentations

• mentoring throughout both residencies

HOW TO APPLY 

Artists from the Balearic Islands may apply from 21 July to 11 August by completing this form.

Artists from Ireland may apply from 27 July to 14 August by completing this form.

REQUIRED SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Artist / Company / Collective Bio or CV (max 3 pages long)

• Short video explaining why you would like to take part in residency and what you propose to do (max 3 mins long)

• Project info including an overview of your artistic proposal, the main areas of your artistic research, and a little background about you, your company or collective.

• A minimum of one and a maximum of three video links to previous or proposed work