IMPACT is an ambitious, international initiative working towards a joint master's programme in contemporary dance, performance and creative technologies. The project is based on one clear conviction: dance and embodied performance develop most strongly in dialogue with different places, cultures and practices.
The proposed master's programme will be a transnational and travelling programme, in which students will immerse themselves in diverse artistic, cultural and social contexts in Europe and West Africa over four semesters. IMPACT aims to train artists who approach their artistic practice in a critical, responsible and ecologically conscious manner.
What is IMPACT?
IMPACT stands for a future-oriented master's programme in performance and creative processes within dance, with a strong focus on body-based practices and creative technologies. Students follow the programme across different countries and institutions, building a practice that is constantly nourished by new environments, perspectives and collaborations.
The curriculum is structured around shared content pillars, but is interpreted differently in each context. This combination of a common focus and local specificity serves as a compass for the student's artistic development.
Important principles are:
- artistic dialogue across cultural and disciplinary boundaries
- equality and plurality of dance and performative practices
- attention to ecological, social and institutional contexts
- a strong foundation in artistic research
International partners
IMPACT is being developed by a consortium of leading art colleges and professional partners who together form important hubs for contemporary dance and performance.
Academic partners
- École des Sables – Toubab Dialao, Senegal
- Conservatoire national supérieur musique et danse de Lyon – Lyon, Frankrijk
- Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre – Vilnius, Litouwen
- Royal Conservatoire Antwerp – Antwerpen, België
Professional partners
- DE SINGEL – Antwerpen, België
- Les SUBS – Lyon, Frankrijk
- Ágora Cultura e Desporto & DDD – Festival Dias da Dança – Portugal
The project is supported by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.
Towards a joint master's programme
The planned master's programme covers two academic years (120 ECTS). Students start after an entrance examination and attend one semester at each of the participating institutions. The programme culminates in a personal IMPACT project and an artistic research process.
The curriculum includes:
- Body, Theory, Place & Event
On embodied practices, theoretical frameworks, and the influence of place and context. - Materialities of Performance
About scenography, sound, music, costume and visual design. - Praxis
Studio and creative practices, with space for individual artistic processes. - Research Methodologies
Introduction to artistic research and developing your own research practice.
Additional course components are tailored to the specific expertise of each institution.
What is happening now?
Although the master's programme is still under development, IMPACT is already active today through the Dance Forum, an online platform that brings together artists, students, teachers and researchers around contemporary dance, performance and innovation.
The Dance Forum was launched in June 2025 at Les SUBS in Lyon and serves as a sustainable, international meeting place for the academic and professional dance world.
On the platform you will find, among other things:
- a glossary of key terms from dance and performance
- a video page with artistic and research-oriented content
- resources such as tools, publications and frameworks for artistic research
- a Who's Who with profiles of artists and organisations
The forum is a place to share knowledge, be visible, collaborate, and help shape the future master's programme.
Become part of IMPACT
IMPACT is building a future-oriented programme, but above all an international community.
Anyone interested in contemporary dance, performance and new forms of artistic knowledge sharing can join today.
Keep an ey on the IMPACT website for the latest developments and become a member of the Dance Forum via danceforum.eu.
This will allow you to stay involved in the further development of the project and become part of a growing international network focused on dance and performance.