Teodorico’s Ravenna: a melting pot of inspiration for contemporary performing arts creation

For its 10th edition, taking place in May 2027, and as part of the programme of Culture Moves Europe, POLIS Teatro Festival launches an open call for performing artists from Creative Europe countries for an artistic residency dedicated to the figure of Teodorico, the Ostrogothic king who made Ravenna the capital of his kingdom, to celebrate also the 1500th anniversary of his death. 

Performers are invited in Ravenna to develop a research-based project inspired by Teodorico’s legacy and the political vision of his reign, often considered an early example of multicultural coexistence. Participants will have the opportunity to explore historical sites connected to his history and engage with the local context through research, interviews, and dialogue with scholars and experts from different fields. POLIS will cover travel expenses, provide accommodation and per diems, working spaces (as exposed below), artistic mentoring and production support, with the aim of developing a new work to be presented within the programme of the festival, which will take place from May 4th to May 9th 2027.


POLIS will cover travel expenses, provide accommodation and per diems, working spaces (as exposed below), artistic mentoring and production support, with the aim of developing a new work to be presented within the programme of the festival, which will take place from May 4th to May 9th 2027.

  • WHEN:The residency will have a duration of 28 days,from April 12th to May 9th 2027.
  • WHERE:First 2 weeks: CreSco, a creative coworking space that brings together cultural professionals, artists and organizations working in the cultural and social sectors. This environment will provide a stimulating context for research, exchanges and meetings with local experts while developing the project concept.
    Final 2 weeks: Artificerie Almagià, a former industrial space now dedicated to performing arts, fully equipped, where residents will translate research into a new artistic creation to be shared during the final days of the festival.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be residing in eligible countries under the Creative Europe programme, excluding Italy;
  • Applicants must be 18+ years old;
  • Applications are accepted from already established performing arts groups or collectives of maximum 5 people;
  • The call is open to artists working in performing arts (including hybrid and multidisciplinary practices), with a clear connection to contemporary theatre;
  • As the residency is part of Culture Moves Europe Call for Residency Hosts, applicants are not eligible to participate as residents in another residency project funded under any Call for Residency Hosts running from 2025 to 2028;
  • Applicants must be available for the whole period between April 12th and May 9th 2027.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted by July 15th 2026 exclusively through the following form https://forms.gle/z8FoMK95cb44Gjo49 and include:

  • Proof of residence (ID card or official document confirming registration in the country of residence of all the applicants);
  • CV in English of all the applicants;
  • Artistic portfolio of the company/each applicant in English;
  • First project proposal and residency work plan with work methodology (max 3000 characters including spaces).

Please note that, if selected and upon consent, the project title and summary may be published on the websites and social media channels of the European Commission, Culture Moves Europe, and project partners.