Perform Europe is an EU-funded project which aims to rethink cross-border performing arts presentation in a more inclusive, sustainable and balanced way, in the 40 countries of Creative Europe and the UK. The project is an 18-month journey, which includes a research phase, launching a digital platform, testing a support scheme, and designing policy recommendations.

Between December 2020 and June 2021, Perform Europe explored and mapped the context in which performing art works have been presented across borders in the past few years. The research team identified and analysed the current issues and disparities in the European system of performing arts touring and presentation and indicated some solutions for bringing change. You can read our main learning points here.

Based on the learning points of our research phase, we released this Perform Europe digital platform. This digital space is our platform for helping applicants to network and share best practices of more sustainable and inclusive touring and distribution practices. 

The Perform Europe application process was divided in two steps:

The first step ended on 9 July 2021. In this first step, all interested producers (organisations, artists, collectives, companies and presenters that have produced an artistic work) and presenters (festivals, venues, and other organisations offering a presenting context) were invited to apply to be part of Perform Europe’s process of collective learning and networking, supported by this digital platform. 

The second step ended on 4 October 2021. In this second step, while and after participating in the learning and networking process, applicants selected in step 1 shaped partnerships among each other, co-created touring and distribution proposals and applied for Perform Europe support fees. The total budget available is € 1,5 million; fee amounts range from €10,000 to €100,000.

19 ambitious partnerships were selected by the Jury. They are made up of more than 85 producers and presenters, who are ready to test innovative touring and distribution schemes. They represent all performing arts disciplines and come from Creative Europe countries and the UK. Running until the end of June 2022, the Perform Europe Live Programme offers more than 250 presentations of over 45 artistic works in 27 Creative Europe countries and the UK. You can find out more about the programme and selected projects here.

Throughout our Perform Europe journey, we will develop policy recommendations to advise the European Institutions and Member States on how to integrate a support scheme for performing arts distribution in the Creative Europe programme 2021-2027. We also aim at offering policy insights for other policy levels and fields, and for the sector at large.