Choreographic Lab, Exploration and Research
Next Clear forum dates: Spring 2025
with Program Director Sara Coffin and guest Creative Facilitator
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Photo Credit: Kevin MacCormack
Presented by Mocean Dance in partnership with the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, CLEaR Forum –Choreographic Lab, Exploration and Research is a residency-based choreographic research lab that takes place in rural Nova Scotia. The program is a place for artists to gather to question their making practices and explore new ideas with a supportive cohort.
The lab offers a skilled-support team, a forum for dialogue and exchange, studio space for the duration of the week, housing with meals, and a stipend for the week. The program is able to support a variety of research frames such as; two researching choreographers and four interpreters; those interested in working collectively, exchanging the roles of maker and mover daily; or a dedicated small group of 2 to 3 people who want to dive into a research question together. Performing artists of all dance forms or practices based in the body, physical theatre, or interdisciplinary artists with a strong movement component are welcome to apply.
A variety of mediums and approaches are used to interrogate practices and discover new ways of making. Photo Credit: Kevin MacCormack
2024/25 CREATIVE facilitation TEAM
Program Director: Sara Coffin (halifax)
guest facilitator: tba
Suitable for emerging to mid-career artists practicing in the realm of movement, the lab will provide artists the opportunity to question and develop their art making in an intimate, rigorous, and engaging forum. All participants take part in the morning programming of shared practice and evening discussions. Through dialogue, led by the facilitation team, discussions will be held to address the day’s work, support arising questions, and consider the diversity of art-making practices.
The Lab is held annually in the picturesque setting of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, in Canning NS.
Daily Program Schedule:
9:30-10:00 - open morning warm-up
10:00-11:30 - guided group research
11:45-1:00 - creative inquiry with researching choreographer or group
1:00-2:00 - lunch
2:00-4:00 - choreographic research continues
4:15-5:00 - end of day sharing
6:00-7:00 - dinner
7:00-8:30 - evening discussions/activities (two evenings) or free time
"The flow (of the program) was carefully put together while still giving support / space to the artists allowing them enough time to learn and challenge themselves. I really enjoyed the readings and the booklet that was made which gave way to the nightly discussions; I still refer to it currently. (The morning sessions) warming up as a group sets the tone for the day and is incredibly important. I learned how to be critical of my own work while also being inspired by the work I created with the dancers; that failing is okay as long as you can see what can be done within the work and to never settle. I only wish the program was 10 days long."
-Emily Gaultieri, Co-Artistic Director Parts + Labour Danse
Eligibility & How to Apply
Eligibility - Performing artists of all dance forms or practices based in the body, physical theatre, or interdisciplinary artists with a strong movement component are encouraged to apply. Interested artists should have a making practice and are recommended to have had 1 to 3 works presented publicly in either a formal or informal setting of any context.
CLEaR Forum applications are open to artists who identify as being emerging or mid-career working in all forms of movement and dance. We welcome and encourage people from all communities and intersecting identities to apply. This includes Indigenous people, LGBTQ+ & Two-Spirit people, Black people and people of colour. The application questionnaire provides a framework for curating a new research group annually, previous applicants are strongly encouraged to re-apply.
Artists with family or kids wishing to apply please reach out to Sara Coffin at saracoffin@moceandance.com, there is possibility to help source childcare and there are smaller cabins on-site in which a family could stay or use a double occupancy bedroom. Cabins have minimal amenities. We are open to sharing the context of such possibilities and having this conversation before artists apply.
