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Description
Reflection of Czech dance is unsystematically underfunded despite a long history of its practice here. It does make some sense: if no production existed, there would be nothing to reflect upon, therefore most of the available funding goes towards the support of dance production and a bare minimum towards critical reflection and its development. The existence of the genre itself will nevertheless also always be insufficient so long as it lacks constructive feedback, expert reflection and quality theoretical background to draw from. These lacks will forever handicap it against other genres, as the lack of proper background reflects on its position in the whole cultural scene, where the theoretical platform would otherwise provide the dance field with means of communication towards the public whilst shaping its image in their eyes.
Long-term need can, therefore, be seen throughout the Czech dance critique scene, a need for systematic and lasting funding to individual magazines bringing reflection of high quality and a need to finance opportunities to travel and meet international partners. It is especially those international meetings that let the individual draw on experiences of his colleagues in the field, debate the efficiency of organization management and inspire his critical outputs. Not least it gives the possibility to discuss the quality and quantity of dance critique, its position and its possibilities of development towards a better position among cultural genres.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop cooperation, networking and internationalisation in the field
of dance criticism. In the first year we had to face a pandemic situation, so the workshops and
discussions were held online or hybrid. However, the quality and goals of the project were not
compromised, on the contrary, this activity allowed in many ways a more sustainable format for the
workshops and allowed for a higher number of participants.
Over the course of two years, we held 4 workshops and 4 panel discussions. The workshops created
a space for sharing experiences and developing critical reflection. The tutors educated and
motivated participants to write about dance/movement art. The themes of the discussions
responded to the current situation (reflection on online performances in a pandemic era, themes of
alternative formats, the writing process and the existential capacity of art criticism) and brought the
profession of criticism in dialogue with artists closer to the public. The activities highlighted the
importance of artistic reflection and its threats in the whole European and non-European context.
In the field of dance criticism, this was a unique project aimed at exchanging experiences and
developing the collaboration and skills of critics through workshops, as well as spreading awareness
of the importance and aspects of art and art criticism in a dialogue between critics and artists in the
presence of the public. Thanks to the project, several subsequent partnerships have been
established and cooperation on further projects has been agreed.
Summary of bilateral results
Dance news collaborated on the project with the Norwegian organization Performing Arts Hub Norway. Boththe partners met regularly in online work meetings and physically during the implementation of activitiesin 2022. Through intensive cooperation, key experiences and know-how in the area were sharedart critics (during panel discussions and workshops, in which both parties were present), but alsoin the field of project management and fundraising. Involvement of the Norwegian partner after productionsite greatly facilitated the realization and promotion of the workshop and discussion in Bergen. Even after the end of the projectthe interest of both parties in cooperation remains and both parties are looking for additional sources of funding to coverimplementation of joint activities.