CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Pépinière internationale à projets 
in Monthey, Switzerland, from May 15 to 26, 2019

The Commission Internationale du Théâtre Francophone (CITF) [international commission for francophone theatre] is holding a Pépinière à projets [project residency] in Monthey, Switzerland, from May 15 to 26, 2019, in collaboration with Oh ! Festival, the Service de la Culture [culture department] of the canton of Valais and Culture Valais. Eighteen artists from countries across the Francophonie will take part in creation laboratories, following which they will meet with the public, contribute to both formal and informal discussions with artists and theatre professionals from other areas and partake in various activities and shows for the 6th Swiss Theater Encounter.

This year’s theme, DE ROC & DE GLACE [of rock and ice], is linked to the locale: snowy peaks and age-old glaciers—areas for rest, for communion with nature, for silence, for science, for an inspiring diversity, for illusions, for disillusionment and transition—will be the source of inspiration for the residency. They will also be the perfect place to address human issues such as migration and climate change.

The Canada Council for the Arts will fund the attendance of three artists from Francophone or Acadian communities in Canada.

Please note: Applicants must be proficient in French, the working language of CITF, and applications must be submitted in French. Information on the CITF website is only available in French.  

Goals of the residency:

• Enhance the collective knowledge and the connections between artists from Europe, the Americas and Africa.
• Support the development of artistic collaborations and co-produced theatre projects between companies and artists in the Francophonie.
• Contribute to the development of theatrical practices.
• Spark off discussions on everyone’s respective practices and the sharing of information.
• Promote Swiss theatre creation.

Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts are members of the CITF on behalf of the Canadian government. The CITF was created in 1987 in order to support multilateral creation and theatrical circulation projects.

ELIGIBLE PROFILES
Selected candidates must:

• Be theatre directors, playwrights, set designers, or audio designers, and ideally also have one of the following complementary skills: acting, play writing, directing, set designing, audio designing, composing or light designing.
• Be under 40 and have at least six years of recognized professional practice in theatre.
• Have a company with which they can carry out production projects (required for theatre directors and playwrights only).
• Demonstrate a genuine desire for professional resourcing and development.
• Want to collaborate on artistic projects with creators from other Francophone areas.
• Commit to carrying out preliminary work before the event, being available from May 15 to 26, 2019, inclusively, submitting a report on their participation and giving an account of their experience with their peers once the event is over.

SUGGESTED TRACK
First movement – Research activities ahead of the event in Valais 
March–April 2019 

• To prepare for the residency, selected artists will be asked to produce artwork—text, sound, film, imagery, etc. based on the theme. A preparatory document presenting the theme will be sent to the attendees for inspiration and to aid in their personal research. 

Second movement – Creation laboratories
From Wednesday, Mai 15, to Tuesday, May 21, 2019

• Selected artists will be gathered in Valais to work in creation laboratories together. They will be guided by a team of professional artists. 
• The laboratories (or workshops) may take on different forms: trip/scenic research on the mountain, sound and musical exploration, collective writing, etc.
• Once the laboratories are over, a conference with the public or an activity related to the Swiss Theater Encounter will take place.

Third movement – Conferences and activities respecting the Swiss Theatre Encounters
From Wednesday, May 22, to Sunday, May 26, 2019 

• Selected artists will participate in five days of Swiss Theatre Encounter activities, which will include round-table discussions on various theatre-related themes and conferences with Swiss theatre directors and players from the Swiss cultural sector.
• The event will be an opportunity to establish formal and informal ties between the selected artists and Swiss artists.

Fourth movement – Port-mortem and assessment
June–July 2019 

• After the event, the artists will be asked to write an account of their experience and share the fruits of their artistic and cultural adventure with their peers.

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE 
- Monday, May 13, or Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Arrival of artists in Valais (either Monday or Tuesday, depending on remoteness)
From Wednesday, May 15, to Tuesday, May 21, 2019
- Welcoming activities, creation laboratories, tours, conferences based on upcoming programme 
From Wednesday, May 22, to Sunday, May 26, 2019 
- Arts conferences and Swiss Theatre Encounter
Monday, May 27, 2019 
- Departure of artists 

APPLICATION

• A cover letter explaining the way international exchanges align with the artist’s career, listing the objectives underpinning their desire to attend the residency and confirming their availability.
• Curriculum vitae (résumé).

EXPENSES COVERED
The Canada Council for the Arts will cover travel and lodging expenses, per diems, the cost of show tickets and fees of CHF 800 (i.e. approximately CAD 1000) per attendee. 

DEADLINE
Applications must be sent no later than January 21, 2019, to Sylvain Cornuau, Canada Council for the Arts Program Officer, at Sylvain.Cornuau@canadacouncil.ca.

Candidates will be selected at the end of January. Note that only selected candidates will be contacted.