explore dance

The cross-state network explore dance, established in 2018, aims to develop a sustainable structure for the production and dissemination of contemporary dance pieces for young audiences in Germany. This network fills a significant gap in the cultural offerings for children and young people by enabling access to the art form of dance regardless of place of residence and social background.

• Dance Productions: explore dance produces and presents a variety of dance pieces specifically designed for young audiences. These productions take place not only on theater stages but also in school spaces, museums, cultural centers, and public spaces.
• Pop Up Productions: Mobile dance productions that can be flexibly presented at various locations to expand access to contemporary dance.
• Workshops and Discussion Formats: Children and young people are actively involved in all phases of the artistic processes, facilitated through workshops, rehearsal visits, and professional meetings.
• Festivals and Professional Meetings: Regular events that consolidate productions and provide space for nationwide and international networking as well as cultural and educational policy dialogue.

The main mission of explore dance is to provide children and young people with access to the art form of dance, regardless of their place of residence and social background, thereby promoting cultural participation. The network advocates for aesthetic education and the integration of contemporary dance into the cultural offerings for young people. It strives to establish dance as a natural part of the cultural offerings alongside other art forms.

• Long-term Funding: Despite current challenges regarding funding, explore dance is working to secure a long-term and sustainable funding perspective, particularly at the federal level.
• Nationwide Networking: Through collaboration with four partner institutions – fabrik moves Potsdam, Fokus Tanz | Tanz und Schule e.V. Munich, K3 | Tanzplan Hamburg, and HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts – comprehensive and nationwide networking is enabled.
• Inclusive and Innovative Productions: The network develops innovative and inclusive dance productions that are also presented outside traditional theater stages to expand access to contemporary dance for all.

explore dance was recently honored with the German Dance Prize 2024 for outstanding development in dance, highlighting the significance and success of the network. This award is an important milestone and confirms the successful work of the network in promoting aesthetic education and cultural participation among young people[2][5].

• 1 - https://explore-dance.de/ueber-uns/
• 2 - https://www.dresden.de/de/rathaus/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2024/10/pm_038.php
• 3 - https://explore-dance.de
• 4 - https://explore-dance.de/home/
• 5 - https://www.tagesspiegel.de/potsdam/potsdam-kultur/bundesweites-netzwerk-potsdams-fabrik-erhalt-deutschen-tanzpreis-fur-explore-dance-11571092.html