Archauz’ vision matches that in hot-off-the-press Danish Theatres Act report

Press Release: AARHUS, 26 April 2010

Archauz’ vision matches that in hot-off-the-press Danish Theatres Act report

On 22 April 2010, the Danish Theatre Committee released their report “Scenekunst i Danmark – veje til udvikling” (Performing Arts in Denmark – the paths for growth). In it, Koreografisk center Archauz was named as one of two dance institutions pinpointed as centres to upgrade - to dance metropolises with open stages as well as activity and production centres.

Archauz, founded in 2007, is the only choreographic centre in Scandinavia. In a short time, Archauz established itself as a groundbreaking and invaluable institution in the dance community. Archauz’ vision of its own future role in the promotion of performing arts fits the Theatre Committees’ objectives like a glove.

Archauz in agreement with the report’s visions
One might think they were looking over our shoulders when they wrote the paragraph about the future depiction of dance, including Archauz as a dance metropolis. It states nearly verbatim our recently-formulated mission, which we are now in the process of realizing, said interim artistic director Louise Friis.

The Danish Theatre Committee proposed that opportunities for growth in dance be intensified using labs and cross-artistic forums. Friis’ newest initiative is exactly that. Called Archauz Open, it is a platform for unconventional, short-term projects, an open stage for lab and experimental work, with opportunities for creating projects incorporating a multitude of art forms.

The Committee further proposed that Archauz be upgraded to a dance metropolis – that is, an open stage for production and activities with resources for cultivating the art of dance, guest productions, and co-productions. These objectives also match Archauz’ mission like a glove. Archauz already has initiated projects and focus in these areas: 1. International — EU-supported artists-in-residencies, networks, guest productions, and projects (including Archauz as coordinator for a 2-year EU-project supported by the EU’s culture programme); 2. Development and cultivation of  young artists, including the members of Archauz Archauz U-kompagniet; and 3. Archauz Open with labs and collaborations across art forms.

Grand visions for the performing arts
It is very encouraging to read this report – especially because it creates a vision for performing arts as a whole – and we easily recognize ourselves in this vision. Yes, we are already walking down this road – we have already formulated our mission, and now it is only a matter of getting the word out and making it visible to all so that there is no longer doubt that Archauz is here to stay. Archauz is an invaluable part of the whole performing arts community in Denmark and is a dynamic counterweight to the players in Copenhagen. What’s exciting now is how the report will be received in the hearings to come. We are, in any case, positive, declared Louise Friis.

For more information, contact Artistic Director Louise Friis: lf@archauz.dk 4026 5679
or Communications Director Line Hauger: lh@archauz.dk tlf. 2077 8907
www.archauz.dk

Here can you download the Danish Theatres Act report, in Danish: Hent Teaterudvalgets rapport (pdf)