Co-productions and Guest Performances

For the last 10 years, MDT has worked with co-productions, our main method of collaborating with artists. Collaboration through co-production means that we follow the artistic processes of the artists from idea to tour. We also programme pre-existing performances, so-called “guest performances”. These are mainly with international partners, while co-productions are mostly in collaboration with Sweden-based dance artists. 

Working with co-production as a method is not as common in Sweden as in the rest of Europe, but it’s a method we pursue actively at MDT. Co-production is a way of co-financing and contributing various resources to a production, a way for several organisers to invest at an early stage of the production. To co-produce a work implies confidence in the artist, but since it is not always possible to tell what a work will become at its early stages, it also involves conscious risk-taking. Co-production contributes stability to the field of dance, both economically, artistically and socially. 

During 2021 and 2022, we developed a method for co-productions further, elaborating with four different co-production models that in various ways involve funding for co-productions, fees, in house support such as producers and technicians, as well as residencies, performance opportunities, etc.

We also have a long-term collaboration with the international dance programme of the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, which enables us to invite what we call international experts (curators, artistic directors etc) to MDT to see works by dance artists based in Sweden. This is an important effort for further internationalisation of the Swedish dance community and often yields direct results in the number of performances abroad. 

If you are interested in learning more about co-productions and guest performances, or if you have a proposal you would like us to consider, email programming@mdtsthlm.se. Pleas mark the email with ”Proposal for co-production” or “Guest performance proposal” in the subject line, with the name of the artist or group.