PAHN - Performing Arts Hub Norway invites norwegian and Norway-based performing arts artists to apply for CURRENTSCAPES, an exchange project between Norway, Japan and East Asia beginning at YPAM 2027 in Yokohama.
Three artists will be selected through this open call to join a Norwegian delegation consisting of artists and curators from Norway. The selected artists and curator will participate in a facilitated programme of meetings, conversations and exchange activities during YPAM Exchange, 7–10 February 2027. YPAM (Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting) is a platform where performing arts professionals from around the world connect through performances and meeting programs to gain information, inspiration and networks for the creation, dissemination and vitalization of the performing arts.
The project aims to create new connections between artists, curators and other professionals in the Norwegian, Japanese and East Asian performing arts fields. The ambition is to facilitate encounters that can develop into long-term artistic and curatorial relationships and collaborations.
CURRENTSCAPES – Norway meets Japan & East Asia
Meet → Share practices → Discover connections → Meet again → Develop collaborations
CURRENTSCAPES is an open framework for exploring what shapes artistic and curatorial practices.
Practice is shaped by where we work, by people and relationships, histories, artistic traditions, institutions, politics, economies, environments, and the movement of ideas across geographical borders.
The project seeks to discover the connection between Norway and East Asia is, through encounters between the participants:
What shapes the way we work?
Where are our practices rooted?
What distinguishes them – and what connects them?
What can we discover through encountering another practice?
The aim is to create a space where curiosity, recognition, difference, and exchange can open up new perspectives and relationships.
YPAM delegation February 2027
As part of the project, PAHN will bring a small Norwegian delegation of three curators and three artists to YPAM Exchange in Yokohama in February 2027 in February. The artists will be selected through this open call. Curators will be announced in the autumn of 2026.
The delegation participants will take part in a facilitated exchange programme and be introduced to artists, curators, producers, and other performing arts professionals from Japan and East Asia. Participants will be matched with relevant professionals based on their artistic interests, practices, and potential points of connection.
The programme will include conversations, meetings, and practice-sharing sessions focused on artistic and curatorial methods. Rather than pitching finished projects, participants will be invited to share and reflect on their ways of working, what shapes their artistic practice, and how different contexts influence artistic development.
YPAM is intended as a starting point. The project does not require specific collaborations or outcomes to emerge immediately, but aims to create the conditions for meaningful relationships and future opportunities to develop over time.
Requirements
We welcome applications both from Norwegian artists living abroad, and artists based in Norway working within experimental performing arts (theatre, dance, performance, contemporary circus, interdisciplinary arts, and related performing arts practices). Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be interested in international dialogue and exchange, be curious about engaging with artistic practices emerging from Japanese and East Asian perspectives, and motivated to actively participate in conversations, meetings, and collective reflection throughout the project.
Selected participants will receive a travel grant that contributes towards travel and accommodation costs in connection with YPAM 2027.
Dates and practical information
YPAM 2027 takes places from February 5–14 February 2027.
CURRENTSCAPES is part of the programme YPAM Exchange, from February 7–10 February 2027. Participants are expected to be present for the full duration of CURRENSCAPES, at a minimum.
Include the following information:
A short presentation of yourself and your artistic practice.
A letter of motivation describing why you are interested in participating in CURRENTSCAPES.
Links to relevant artistic work and/or website.
A short CV or biography.
Application deadline: November 16th 12.00 CET
Questions can be directed to: Anders Rohlan Småhaug, PAHN- Performing Arts Hub Norway, anders@pahn.no. Please mark the e-mail with CURRENTSCAPES.
Bannerphoto: Hege Knarvik Sande, Yokohama 2025