performing for peers
audiences of (post)pandemic young professionals
The 2-part lab “performing for peers – audiences of (post)pandemic emerging professionals” brings together 12 artists who entered their profession in the independent performing arts between 2019-2022. The Lab focuses on the impeded entry into the profession – not only due to the pandemic itself but also cultural policy dynamics: During pandemic-related closures and audience restrictions, production houses favored supporting established artists in reaching (post)pandemic audiences, especially in the form of residencies and fundings. Thus, in the face of closed spaces and unfulfillable funding guidelines, newcomers to the profession had to establish their own shelters and strategies.
Working with early career artists as experts, “performing for peers” asks the questions: Between 2019-22, did early career artists predominantly produce with and for each other? How can the potential safer spaces among peers grow into wider-reading support structures? How can emerging artists post-pandemically extend their audiences to younger and older individuals?
Lab 1 “peer audiences: safer space?”: PACT Zollverein, Essen
Lab 2 “peer audiences? bye bubble”: Denk- und Produktionsort Libken, Gerswalde
Currently, we are preparing a publication to share our perspectives on the questions above in speculative letters to our existing audiences, our peers, and the audiences we hope to reach in the future. Between year book and business card, we want to introduce ourselves and share our modes of collaboration.
Soon, you can listen to the audio version of the publication here.
curation and organization: Nora Tormann, Lonnie Jasper // artists and experts: Ariana Emminghaus, Alica Minar, Jäckie Rydz, Kysy Fischer, Natasha Borenko, Pamela Moraga, Sharon Mercado Nogales, Tasha Hess-Neustadt, Yurika Yamamoto, Yvonne Sadji-Sembene
A project by Nora Tormann in collaboration with Lonnie Jasper.
We thank PACT Zollverein, Denk- und Produktionsort Libken, and TATWERK I Performative Forschung for the working (and thinking) spaces.
Commissioned by Fonds Darstellende Künste