Open Call: Union PDX - Festival of Contemporary Dance 2026

About the Open Call

push/FOLD's Union PDX - Festival of Contemporary Dance returns for our sixth iteration this May 2026! Applications are now open worldwide for all professional artists and companies making contemporary work in ANY dance style, genre, or tradition! Dedicated to the growth and advancement of dancers and artists, selected festival artists perform at the brand-new Foster Theater, teach advanced and professional level dancers, engage with audiences through post-show Artist-Talks and Q&As, network with fellow artists, presenters, and company directors, and celebrate the art of dance. Click Here to apply and read below learn more about eligibility, compensation, and the application process. Questions related to the festival and application process, including becoming a festival partner, should be directed to: contact@pushfold.orgcontact@pushfold.org.Important DatesApplication Deadline: October 31, 2025 @ 11:59pm PST Festival Invitations: December 2025 Tech Rehearsal Dates: May 27 or 28, 2026 (for each group/artist) Performance Dates: May 28-31, 2023 (3 Public Performances, 1 Invited Dress Rehearsal)Eligibility & GuidelinesThe festival is open to all regional, national, and international artists/groups from ANY dance style, genre, or tradition with a focus on creating contemporaneous work within their form. Applicants should have a demonstrated minimum three (3) years of professional choreographic experience. Material submitted MUST be the work that you plan to present at the festival. Rehearsal videos will be accepted. Each artist/group can submit a maximum of two (2) works. Each work requires a separate application. To be considered, ensemble work (2+ dancers) should be at a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 24 minutes in length. Solos should be between 7 - 15 minutes. Works in progress are accepted and considered, but the video work sample must show at least 75% of the completed work. Works still in conceptual form will not be considered. Improvisational works are acceptable, but must include a clear and consistent structure similar to submitted sample video. All improvised sections must be clearly outlined within your application submission. Applicants must own the rights to all of the music and choreography in the submission. Commissioned repertoire works from artists not with your group will not be considered. Submitted videos should not be edited except to show different angles/focuses from a single continuous performance. Promotional videos will not be considered. Nudity and strong language are acceptable, but gratuitous works will not be considered (determination of which is at the discretion of the curatorial team). In selecting works for consideration, please be mindful that performances may be in 3/4-round thrust configuration (audiences on three sides of the stage) with lighting coming from the grid above. Aerialist groups must supply their own support structure.Festival ScheduleThe typical schedule for the festival occurs over 4-5 days (Wednesday - Sunday). Below is an example from our 2023 iteration. Tech Rehearsals Wednesday | Tech Rehearsal for push/FOLD and some groups/artists. Thursday | Tech Rehearsal for remaining groups/artists.Dress Rehearsal Thursday | Invited Dress Rehearsal with in-person student audience.Performances Friday & Saturday | 7:30pm Performance w/ post-show Artist-talks. Sunday | 4:00pm Performance w/ post-show Artist-talk.Masterclasses & Workshops Friday & Saturday | Afternoon Masterclasses Sunday | Professional Development Workshops for ArtistsParticipant CompensationUS-based artists: performance stipend (between $600 - $1000). The stipend is calculated from several factors including the length of the work, size of group, and travel distance. Non-local US-based artists: per diem will be provided for up to 4 artists for up to 5 days, in addition to the above stipend. International artists: housing and food will be provided up to an equivalent value of $1000. Non-local artists: travel to/from venue and lodging within city for performances and respective masterclasses, and travel to/from Portland International Airport (PDX). Professional photographs and video footage of performance. Professional photographs of masterclass instruction. Free access to all festival masterclasses and workshops.

What is Offered

Selected artists receive a performance stipend (USD $600-$1000), per diem for non-local US artists, housing and food (up to USD $1000 value) for international artists, professional photographs and video footage of performances and masterclasses, and free access to all festival masterclasses and workshops. Non-local artists also receive travel to/from venue and lodging within the city.

Requirements

The festival is open to all regional, national, and international artists/groups from any dance style, genre, or tradition. Applicants must have a demonstrated minimum three (3) years of professional choreographic experience. Submitted material must be the work planned for presentation. Each artist/group can submit a maximum of two (2) works, each requiring a separate application. Ensemble work (2+ dancers) should be 10-24 minutes; solos 7-15 minutes. Works in progress are accepted if the video work sample shows at least 75% of the completed work. Improvisational works are acceptable with clear, consistent structure and outlined improvised sections. Applicants must own rights to all music and choreography. Submitted videos should not be edited except for different angles/focuses from a single continuous performance. Nudity and strong language are acceptable, but gratuitous works will not be considered. Aerialist groups must supply their own support structure.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply worldwide via the online application form: https://forms.gle/cXFbUhbyus5DNR9W8. Detailed eligibility, compensation, and process information is available on the opportunity website.