Empowering Dance Innovators: The Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship
The London-based organization is seeking digital dance innovators and artistic activists open to experimentation, says its Managing Director Javier Torres. Photo: Carlos Acosta and Javier Torres.
The Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship (CACF) is a dynamic award that grants choreographers and professional artists a stipend of up to $15,000, empowering them to explore new directions, develop groundbreaking tools, and establish systems that transform them into dance creators and innovators.
“We firmly believe in fostering interconnected artistic communities to generate significant impact and drive substantial change through the power of dance,” said Javier Torres, Managing Director of the Acosta Dance Foundation (ADF) and the Acosta Dance Centre (ADC).
Candidates are chosen through an inclusive and transparent three-round peer review process, ensuring fair consideration for all eligible applicants.
The international Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship, launched in 2023 with significant support from the Acosta Dance Foundation, the Acosta Advanced Training Hub, and the Acosta Dance Centre, selects an emerging artist or choreographer to develop a new work.
“As a programme dedicated to choreographic development, the fellowship reinforces the core mission of creating a dancer in every home by prioritising the generation of new works from new voices,” Torres added.
Additionally, ADF and ADC have announced residencies to assist artists in the research, development, and creation of new digital works. Open to participants worldwide, the residency will focus on exploring the possibilities of digital dance.
“We aim to foster a mutually supportive relationship between the artists, ADF, and ADC, encouraging creativity in all areas of interest, particularly those from underrepresented and vulnerable communities,” Torres explained.
Located at Woolwich Works in London, the Acosta Dance Centre offers a space where creations can connect with both national and international audiences. The Centre is chaired by Carlos Acosta, former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba and the Royal Ballet in London, who currently directs the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
“We seek to promote works that challenge the status quo, engage with bold ideas, and respond to community interests. That’s why we are looking for forward-thinking creators—choreographers, digital dance innovators, and artistic activists—who are open to experimenting with technologies and formats to push the boundaries of dance,” added Torres, former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba and Northern Ballet in England.