NEXT STEPS

The jury will consider the following criteria when selecting the NEXT STEPS artists: 

• Residency or connection to Switzerland: The applicants are either Swiss residents, hold Swiss Citizenship, or have a very strong connection to the country  (e.g., though studies, productions in Switzerland or supported by Swiss funding) 
• Choreographic experience: Applicants must have choreographed at least two works for professional dancers, including one for a minimum of four dancers.
• Artistic quality: The jury will evaluate the applicant's previous works for their distinctive choreographic signature and clear artistic vision. The jury will assess the movement language, dramaturgy, and the effective use of theatrical elements such as stage, lighting, and costumes, as well as the applicant’s potential for further artistic development. 
• Collaboration skills: A willingness to work with dancers from institutional ensembles in a highly physical way, exploring their diverse dancing skills and physicalities.
• Adaptability: Openness to create within the framework of municipal theaters, appealing to a broad audience, openness to feedback, working with given specifications (e.g. artistic teams, concepts or musical choices).

NEXT STEPS is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful working environment where creativity thrives through open communication, fairness, and mutual support. Particular consideration will be given to applicants who actively cultivate a positive, professional rehearsal space.

The selected choreographers will benefit from a comprehensive support package aimed at developing their artistic careers: 

• Commissioned creations: Each participant will create 2 choreographic works during the programme, collaborating with partner companies such as Ballett Basel, Ballet Junior de Genève, Bern Ballett, and St.Gallen Dance Company. 
• Financial coverage: The selected artists will receive fair compensation for their work, aligned with industry standards. 
• Access to professional resources: Participants will gain access to the partner institutions’ infrastructure, such as dramaturgical support, production management, technical assistance, rehearsal direction, oeil exterieur, rehearsal spaces, and dancers. 
• Showcase opportunities: Participants will have the opportunity to present their creations multiple times as part of the partners' seasonal programme, providing visibility.  
• Coaching and mentoring: Participants will benefit from the DoubleDance coaching programme of Migros Culture Percentage and receive guidance from experienced professionals within the partner institutions. 
• Artistic documentation: NEXT STEPS will produce professional video documentation of the artists’ works, enabling them to promote their creations to other companies and theatres.

Submit your application via e-mail to steps@mgb.ch with the subject line NEXT STEPS.   
 
Application Deadline: May 15th, 2026 
 
The application must include: 

• A motivation letter or video introduction: max. 1 page or 2 minutes. (If submitting a video please provide a link rather than sending a file.)
• A CV: max. 2 pages 
• Works: 2–4 links to past works (trailers and full-length recordings. (Please ensure links are accessible and not password protected). 

 
Selection Process 

A jury, consisting of one representative from each of the five partner institutions (Migros Culture Percentage Dance Festival Steps, Ballett Basel, Ballet Junior de Genève, Bern Ballett and St.Gallen Dance Company) will review the applications.  After the reviewing process, 4-5 artists will be invited for an interview.  

1. Notification: the invitations for the interviews will be sent out by June 2nd, 2026 
2. Interviews: June 9th & 11th, 2026 (afternoon) 
3. Final Selection: By the end of June 2026 
4. Start Programme: The selected artists will begin their creations during the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.