IACC, with funding from the Arts Council’s International Residency Initiatives Scheme (IRIS) is seeking two Irish-based/born emerging aerial dance directors to participate in a Director’s Lab in January/February 2027*. This lab will take place over two weeks in Montreal, Canada in partnership with TOHU. One Montreal-based and one Irish Director will upskill Irish-based/born emerging directors to develop their skills as a director / choreographer of aerial dance, exploring approaches to choreography and aerial dance making in a circus context. 

Applicants should have existing experience in directing aerial dance/circus work, and should have a piece of work in development that they will bring to Montreal. Each emerging director will select two of their artists from this work in development to travel with them to Montreal to work together in this lab. Please note the venue cannot accommodate vertical dance against a wall.

The two directors selected (not their artists) will also attend CINARS this 8th-14th November 2026 in Montreal Canada. CINARS is a bi-annual event in Montreal, the leading international hub for the performing arts, bringing together agents, performing arts companies, presenters, and representatives from cultural institutions across every continent.

Artists will receive €150 per day as a fee for the lab, and €40 per day in per diems. Travel and accommodation will be provided.

Deadline for applications is 6th September 2026. Apply Now.

*Working with Montreal partners to confirm suitable dates.

Melissa Colello Biography

Melissa studied at Ecole Nationale de Cirque (ENC), where she was the first student to develop a dance trapeze act. After touring internationally with the aerial arts collective Les Arts Sauts, Melissa co-founded CirkVOST, a French aerial contemporary circus company. Her vast career is all encompassing including being an aerial choreographer and coach for major events and intimate shows such as the Sochi Olympic Games, MGM Macau, Luc Petit Creation, the Qing show, Cirque du Soleil. Her style varies just as much from German cabaret to traditional circus. She is based in Montreal.

Chantal McCormick Biography

Chantal is a director, choreographer, aerialist, teacher, mentor, coach & Cultural Leader. Chantal trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and became interested in aerial circus after graduating. She toured with established dance and circus companies in the UK touring to Trinidad, Europe and Australia from 1999-2008. She has invested most of her professional career into building the infrastructure of aerial arts in Ireland. For 27 years she has been Creative Director & Co-Founder of Fidget Feet with husband Jym Daly. Chantal has been choreographing and directing over 30 aerial shows for indoor, outdoor & young audiences.

IACC is taking applications for the Circus City Residency, a two-week residency taking place in Montreal, Canada in partnership with TOHU.

WHAT:  Two weeks in the Irish Aerial Creation Centre, and two weeks in the École Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, in partnership with TOHU. Two weeks of mentorship with Chantal McCormick (Fidget Feet) is included. TOHU will arrange additional activities, such as a tour of Cirque du Soleil Headquarters.

WHEN: Montreal dates will be Tuesday 31^st March to Monday 13^th April 2026, inclusive. IACC dates will be Tuesday 5^th to Sunday 17^th May 2026.

WHO: One aerial dance project that is already in the research phase with up to 3 artists involved, can apply for four weeks of funded residency. The lead artist should already have created at least one public-facing production. (Not aimed at solo work, must be at least two performers.)

The residency in Montreal will take place simultaneously with two Québec-based aerialists, for skill exchange, cultural exchange, and peer to peer learning.

HOW:

• Artists will receive €750 per week in Montreal with a per diem of €40.
• Artists will receive a stipend of €850 per week in IACC.
• Flights, accommodation, and travel will be covered.

WHY: Tell us why you’d like to do this residency, and tell us about your previous and current work.

The deadline was Friday 19th December 2025 and this is now closed.

A pilot initiative to upskill Irish-based/born artists to develop their skills as a director / choreographer of aerial dance. A Montreal-based Circus Director will travel to Ireland for a six-day practical lab exploring approaches to choreography and aerial dance making in the IACC.  They will be joined by Chantal McCormick (Fidget Feet) offering an Irish perspective.

Three Irish-based aspiring directors / choreographers will be selected to participate, and bring two aerial artists with them to work with during the lab.  All nine artists will receive a €600 stipend for the week, and accommodation will be provided.

The lab will take place the Tuesday 25^th to Sunday 30^th August 2026. Applications will open 10th February 2026. Deadline 1st March. Applications Closed.

Anthony Venisse Biography

Anthony is a multi-disciplinary circus artist, physical comedian, and director known for his poetic, character-driven clowning. Trained at the Rudra-Béjart dance school and the National Circus School of Montreal (École nationale de cirque), he specializes in swinging trapeze, visual comedy, and staging large-scale outdoor circus productions..

Chantal McCormick Biography

Chantal is a director, choreographer, aerialist, teacher, mentor, coach & Cultural Leader. Chantal trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and became interested in aerial circus after graduating. She toured with established dance and circus companies in the UK touring to Trinidad, Europe and Australia from 1999-2008. She has invested most of her professional career into building the infrastructure of aerial arts in Ireland. For 27 years she has been Creative Director & Co-Founder of Fidget Feet with husband Jym Daly. Chantal has been choreographing and directing over 30 aerial shows for indoor, outdoor & young audiences.

Amelia Rudolph the founder of BANDALOOP, one of the greatest vertical dance companies in the world, will be on residency in IACC from the 16^th to 22^nd October 2026 inclusive with another two BANDALOOP artists.

Three individual artists who are Irish-based/born will be selected to participate in this residency for 6 days. Half of the day will be lead by Amelia, and half the day will be working on your own vertical dance practice.

Artists will receive a stipend of €850 for the five days. Travel and accommodation will be covered.

Applications will open January 9^th 2026. Deadline 30^th January. Results by 6^th February.   Applications Closed.

IACC will host an International Vertical Dance and Counterweight Meetup – 3 days of peer to peer exchange, skill sharing, networking, talks, and free masterclasses with Amelia Rudolph, two more BANDALOOP artists, and Fidget Feet. Open to Irish and International vertical dancers with at least a skilled level / intermediate level.

Registration is €40 to secure your place, but will include free merchandise. Places are limited and registration is required.  Registration will open 24th April 2026. We will put participants in touch with each other to arrange accommodation amongst yourselves.

We look forward to welcoming you to the IACC!   Applications now open – APPLY NOW