Open Call for the Artistic Direction

Lanfranco Cis is a white man in his seventies with white hair and a white beard. He is wearing a dark jacket and glasses with red arms. He is holding a microphone, speaking during an event

Lanfranco Cis, co-founder of Oriente Occidente and artistic director since 1981 | ph. Giulia Lenzi

Oriente Occidente launches the open call for the Artistic Direction 2027–2029

Oriente Occidente officially launches an open call for expressions of interest aimed at selecting the new Artistic Direction that will guide the institution during the 2027–2029 term. The call, open until July 13th, is addressed to individual candidates or teams of two people invited to submit a three-year curatorial proposal capable of outlining a clear, critical and innovative vision for the future of the cultural project.

“I am proud to have founded and developed over the years a cultural project that has grown into a recognised reference point within the European contemporary dance landscape,” says Lanfranco Cis, founder and current Artistic Director of Oriente Occidente.

“Today I feel that this path must open itself to a renewal able to respond to contemporary challenges and embrace a plurality of perspectives, continuing the spirit of plurality that has always been part of the project’s foundations, originally developed through the shared artistic direction between myself and Paolo Manfrini. I will continue my commitment in the role of historical curator, with the aim of preserving Oriente Occidente’s roots within the Rovereto community, its constant gaze towards the world and its artistic identity.”

The call is addressed to professionals with solid experience in the field of contemporary performing arts, capable of imagining a coherent and articulated development of Oriente Occidente’s work, in dialogue with its history and with the ongoing transformations within the international dance and performing arts landscape.

A CULTURAL PROJECT CONNECTING FESTIVAL, RESEARCH AND COMMUNITIES

Applicants are asked to submit a three-year curatorial project covering the main areas around which Oriente Occidente’s work is developed:

Oriente Occidente Dance Festival, the core of the artistic programme and a space for international exchange;
Studio, dedicated to artistic research, residencies, production and support for emerging artists;
People, focused on community engagement, participatory practices and cultural welfare.

The selected Artistic Direction will be responsible for defining the artistic programme, developing the institution’s cultural vision, strengthening collaborations at local, national and international level, and fostering dialogue with audiences, in close collaboration with the General Direction and the communication department.

The Artistic Direction will operate within an artistic team composed of founder Lanfranco Cis, in the role of historical curator, associated curator Marcos Morau (currently appointed until December 2027), and Lucrezia Stenico, artistic coordinator and member of Oriente Occidente’s permanent staff.

APPLICATIONS, SELECTION PROCESS AND COMMISSION

Applications and project proposals must be submitted by 12 PM (CET) on Sunday, July 13th 2026 to:

collabora@orienteoccidente.it

The selection process will include the evaluation of submitted projects, professional qualifications and, for a shortlist of candidates, in-person interviews scheduled between the end of July and the beginning of August 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by an international commission currently being defined. The composition of the commission will be announced shortly and published on Oriente Occidente’s website on the page Work with us.

Full details and complete text of the open call are available on:
orienteoccidente.it → Work with us