IACC, with funding from the Arts Council’s International Residency Initiatives Scheme (IRIS) is seeking two Irish-based/born emerging aerial dance directors to participate in a Director’s Lab in January/February 2027*. This lab will take place over two weeks in Montreal, Canada in partnership with TOHU. One Montreal-based and one Irish Director will upskill Irish-based/born emerging directors to develop their skills as a director / choreographer of aerial dance, exploring approaches to choreography and aerial dance making in a circus context.
Applicants should have existing experience in directing aerial dance/circus work, and should have a piece of work in development that they will bring to Montreal. Each emerging director will select two of their artists from this work in development to travel with them to Montreal to work together in this lab. Please note the venue cannot accommodate vertical dance against a wall.
The two directors selected (not their artists) will also attend CINARS this 8th-14th November 2026 in Montreal Canada. CINARS is a bi-annual event in Montreal, the leading international hub for the performing arts, bringing together agents, performing arts companies, presenters, and representatives from cultural institutions across every continent.
Artists will receive €150 per day as a fee for the lab, and €40 per day in per diems. Travel and accommodation will be provided.
Deadline for applications is 6th September 2026. Apply Now.
*Working with Montreal partners to confirm suitable dates.
Anthony Venisse Biography
Anthony is a multi-disciplinary circus artist, physical comedian, and director known for his poetic, character-driven clowning. Trained at the Rudra-Béjart dance school and the National Circus School of Montreal (École nationale de cirque), he specializes in swinging trapeze, visual comedy, and staging large-scale outdoor circus productions.
Chantal McCormick Biography
Chantal is a director, choreographer, aerialist, teacher, mentor, coach & Cultural Leader. Chantal trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and became interested in aerial circus after graduating. She toured with established dance and circus companies in the UK touring to Trinidad, Europe and Australia from 1999-2008. She has invested most of her professional career into building the infrastructure of aerial arts in Ireland. For 27 years she has been Creative Director & Co-Founder of Fidget Feet with husband Jym Daly. Chantal has been choreographing and directing over 30 aerial shows for indoor, outdoor & young audiences.