Orbital 2026 Open Call – Residency for Students

Orbital is a residency program created by the Dunja Jocić Foundation, designed to give young and developing makers studying in Amsterdam or Rotterdam the opportunity to take their first steps in creating and presenting their own choreographic work.

A 13-day residency Program

During thirteen days, two selected makers will explore a choreographic idea around a given theme. This focused period of research and creation culminates in a public evening of around one hour. 

The maker presents their own work (this can be a shorter piece, for example around 20 minutes) and curates the rest of the program by inviting other artists to show their creations. In this way, the program encourages the maker to go beyond choreographic work—shaping how their artistic vision is contextualized and shared with an audience. The maker will receive close support from the residency’s team, who will provide the space and organize the public presentation. 

Orbital is built on the principle of exchange. Dunja Jocić envisioned the program as a space where established and emerging voices meet, learn, and grow together. She regards this exchange as precious: not only offering her the chance to share her knowledge and experience, but also to learn from the fresh perspectives and approaches of the new generation.

For this new edition of Orbital, candidates are invited to submit a choreographic idea around one of the following themes:

  • Polarization
  • Identity and belonging
  • Rituals

Candidates are encouraged to approach the theme they choose broadly and through their own perspective and practice.

Artistic and professional guidance

What distinguishes Orbital is its focus on both artistic and professional development. The maker is supported step by step throughout the creation process: they receive artistic guidance from Artistic Director Dunja Jocić, and production guidance from the residency’s team in handling the many aspects that come with being an independent maker and producing a show—such as strategy, planning, technical matters, communication, etc.

By combining freedom of creation with structured mentorship, Orbital encourages the maker to think beyond choreography alone and provides students with tools and insights to sustain an artistic practice in today’s professional landscape.

Who can apply?

Orbital is open to students in dance and choreography based in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Students with a strong artistic interest and a clear idea or research direction that they would like to develop during the residency are encouraged to apply.

How to apply?

Please fill in the application form below. For questions about the application process, please contact orbital@dunjajocic.com

Application form

Selection procedure and calendar

  • 30 June 2026 at midnight : Closing of applications.
  • 30 June – 14 July 2026 : Candidates selected for the first round will be invited for an in-person on online conversation.
  • 14 July 2026 : The two selected makers will be informed via email and/or phone.
  • 1 September 2026 : Start of the Amsterdam residency
  • October 2026 [Exact dates to be confirmed] : Start of the Rotterdam residency

What is expected from the maker

  • They research and develop a choreographic idea during the residency.
  • They curate and host a public evening of around 1 hour, during which they will present the result of their residency work along with creations from other artists they select.
  • They take the lead in promoting the evening (communication, marketing, etc) with the guidance of the residency team.

What Dunja Jocić Foundation will provide

  • A free 13-day residency to research and develop a creation
  • Open studio time to develop the work
  • Artistic guidance from Dunja Jocić with feedback and mentoring sessions throughout the creation process
  • Professional guidance from the organizing team on the planning, communication and technical aspects of a production.
  • A marketing fee to support the promotion of the public presentation
  • High-resolution professional video and photos of the piece
  • A venue in Amsterdam or Rotterdam to host the public presentation
  • Technical equipment for the show
  • Travel costs

– The residency’s team –

Artistic director:
Dunja Jocić 

Residency producer:
Pauline Rigal

Creative partner and business manager:
Marinus Groothof

Application Residency 2026

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Tell us something about yourself and your artistic practice so far. You may want to share about your interests, influences and what drives you as a dancer, talk about previous or ongoing projects and collaborations, or anything else you’d like to share to help us get to know you a bit better.
Please briefly describe the choreographic idea you would like to investigate during the residency, in relation to one of the following themes: polarization – identity and belonging – rituals. This does not need to be a fully developed concept—we are interested in your artistic ideas, your way of working, and how you approach the theme.
A link to a video where you introduce your concept in relation to one of the themes. The video should be a speaking introduction of maximum 2-3 minutes.
A link to video material showing how you dance. This can be a showreel, excerpts from a work-in-progress, a short movement research or improvisation video, etc.
Consent(Required)