Tanzhaus Zürich is the production house for contemporary choreographic work in the region. In 2024, under the direction of Catja Loepfe, the Accomplice model was developed in response to the City of Zurich’s new funding system for culture. Since the 2026/2027 season, Lisa Letnansky and Guillaume Guilherme have led Tanzhaus Zürich and continue the Accomplice model in a modified form.

Accomplice Programme

Through the Accomplice model, Tanzhaus Zürich establishes long-term, reciprocal relationships and maintains partnerships with both emerging and established artists as equals. Defining the scope and nature of the collaboration is part of a shared process between the artists and the Tanzhaus team. Through this close relationship, the artists actively help shape the Tanzhaus programme: productions, residencies, insights (sharings), workshops, and other participation-focused or discursive formats.

The Accomplice model aims to reduce production pressure and create more space for research, reflection and exchange. It also aims to carry the artists’ themes further out into society.

Criteria

Through this Open Call, Tanzhaus will once again select two to five Accomplices (individual artists or groups) who wish to work closely with Tanzhaus Zürich for the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 seasons. Continuing the Accomplice relationship beyond this period is possible.

Tanzhaus Zürich’s Accomplices

• pursue their own choreographic signature and/or movement practice,
• are clearly rooted in a Zurich community,
• are interested in developing a dialogical relationship with Tanzhaus Zürich,
• work from a personal, social and/or aesthetic urgency,
• are interested in open exchange with the audience — and are encouraged to develop productions and formats for specific target groups, particularly for young audiences.

Beyond these main criteria, it is important to us that Accomplices share the values of Tanzhaus Zürich. Further integral parts of the collaboration are also outlined here.

Scope

In addition to research time, sharings or smaller performances, and developing new formats, Accomplices have the opportunity to realise one larger stage production each, either in the 2027/2028 or the 2028/2029 season. Collaborations among Accomplices, as well as with other institutions, are explicitly welcomed for all projects and are supported by Tanzhaus.

Application

Artists interested in becoming Tanzhaus Accomplices can apply by 1 September 2026 (23:59 CEST) by email. The selection will be made by Guillaume Guilherme and Lisa Letnansky (Co-Directors of Tanzhaus Zürich from the 2026/2027 season), Christina Gabriela Galli (Outreach and Community Building), and Eva Cabañas (Administration Office). External experts will be consulted where needed. The next application opportunity will be in summer 2027.

The application should — ideally compiled into a single PDF — consist of:

• a motivation letter of no more than one page, explaining why a collaboration with Tanzhaus is desired,
• an outline of no more than two pages describing your plans for the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 seasons (research, stage projects, new formats),
• possible collaboration partners,
• possible offerings related to inclusion and accessibility, as well as information on the target audience,
• a rough budget outline including the desired Tanzhaus contribution (a general estimate is sufficient — precision or completeness is not decisive),
• a CV — and
• where possible, links to previous work.

This information can also be submitted in video or audio format: videos as a link only (YouTube, Vimeo, etc., no downloads), audio files as mp3/m4p, both with a maximum length of five minutes. Technical quality will not be assessed, as long as the content is understandable. The budget and CV must always be attached in writing to the email.

For any questions or uncertainties, artists can contact Lisa Letnansky und Guillaume Guilherme by email.

Decisions will be communicated by the end of September.