Apply now for the second round of the Performing Arts Strategy Lab
UP offers the Performing Arts Strategy Lab as a paid one-week strategy development course for performing arts groups. Here you will have the opportunity to work intensively on developing a strategic direction.
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab gives you time to reflect on conscious choices and trade-offs in your practice that can support your artistic and organisational visions.
Where do you want to go with your performing arts and organisational practice? What does it take to realise a change or a new business model? How can you work more long-term with projects or create a new structure?
Questions like these are about moving from idea to strategy:
- What opportunities and challenges in our environment should we take into account?
- How do we build strong collaborations and networks that support our strategic direction?
- How do we clearly communicate our vision and values to both audiences and partners?
- What is our plan to ensure a financial foundation that supports our strategy?
These are some of the questions you will be working on in the Performing Arts Strategy Lab.
The development process is paid – consider it a priority work process for your group or company.
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab takes place at Thoravej 29 in collaboration with the Bikuben Foundation.
Learn more and apply here
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab will take place in February/March and May/June 2026 during the following weeks:
Mandatory dates in 2026:
2 February at 12:00-16:15: Introduction day for participants.
10 June at 12:00-16:00: Joint networking and knowledge-sharing meeting for all participating groups.
Both events will take place physically at UP, and it will not be possible to participate online. The events will be held in Danish, but if translation is required, UP will print materials, instructions and presentations in English.
Application criteria:
- Groups/companies with 2-4 participants during the strategy process. Please note that these do not need to be permanent members of the group/company, but all must participate in the entire Lab programme.
- Applicants must have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the performing arts.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that a strategy programme is relevant and will benefit their future work and the development of the group/company.
We encourage everyone to apply regardless of age, gender, national background, economic/social background, functional abilities, etc.
Application process:
The application deadline is 13 November at 23:59. Applicants will be contacted in mid-December. Applications can be submitted in Danish and English.
The selection will be made by a curatorial group consisting of two UP employees and an external curator. UP appoints external curators based on an assessment of their professional experience.
FAQ
Can I apply as a solo artist or sole trader?
Yes, but you must have at least two people affiliated with Scenekunstens Strategi-Lab. If you are a solo artist or sole trader, we recommend that you apply with a sparring partner who knows you well, e.g. a producer you often work with.
What does the worksharing consist of?
At the end of the programme, we ask you to give a presentation of your work during the week, lasting approximately 30 minutes in total. You will be sent a PowerPoint template that you can use to answer a series of questions related to the Lab and the learning that your work has entailed. In addition, you can choose what you want to share – drawings, materials or anything else you find meaningful. Your worksharing should be seen as an opportunity to record the results and conclusions of the week's work for your own future use. Your strategy facilitator and UP host will participate and provide feedback.
What can I expect from the Studio at Thoravej 29?
The room you'll be using is called Studio and has facilities for organisational development and development workshops. Thoravej 29 is a new community in a totally transformed building in Copenhagen NV, which opened recently. There's a café, and among the other tenants you'll find Art Hub Copenhagen and a bunch of change-making organisations.