The residential program is part of:
- a program of the Centre for Choreographic Development that SE.S.TA has been developing in the Czech Republic for already 15 years
- a partnership that SE.S.TA has made with institutions and initiatives of a diverse nature (universities, theaters, festivals, associations…) in Prague and in Brno.
- an international web of contacts that connect the activities of SE.S.TA primarily with France, Slovakia, Germany and Sweden.
- an innovative project of cultural development of the entire castle area. Residencies are one of the three long term pillars of SE.S.TA’s work in the region. The residency is grounded in the creative history of the grounds, its genius loci, and is a tool for the new museum center. An important part of the program are activities focused on working with the public, expanding and cultivating a public for live arts and most of all for dance. And we also have projects for schools, townspeople and employees of local firms.
- The tradition that we acknowledge is a spirit that is still developing in similar structures in France for example, at CAMAC – Centre d Art Marnay, Studio Dancing, the group BEAU GESTE etc.
A whole host of cultural events take place on the grounds of the Castle at Žďáru nad Sázavou throughout the year
- The international festival of dance and movement theater – Korespondance
- Monastery Night – a musical program in the beautiful architecture of the former monastery
- The International Opera Singing Competition – Jakub Pustina
- A weekend of open castle gardens where a wide variety of amateur cultural associations present their work.
- Pilgrimages to Basilica of the Assumption and St. Nicholas with cultural programs.
- A number of small festivals – brass bands, folk choirs…
The castle grounds are also the place where SE.S.TA organizes educational programs for artists and schools. The goal is to strengthen the presence of art and creative thinking in everyday lessons. The Žďáru nad Sázavou schools are the places where we introduce these specific projects into practice.
Tools and goals of the residential programs.
- To give artists time for research: we offer a studio and accommodation.
- To give artists a time to meet and share experiences and questions. We also offer the possibility to consult with a coach during rehearsals. Residencies of various groups can take place simultaneously: young artists meet with experienced ones; when groups and creators from different artistic fields meet this supports the transdisciplinarity of the project.
We give priority to supporting choreographers, but we are open to other creative projects from the fields of theater, literature, music, circus and multimedia.We also support multicultural meetings between foreign and Czech artists.
- To enable meetings with town residents: in the castle ground are a basic school, an active parish, we also have a good relationship with local art basic school and with cultural organizers in the city.
What we require from artists
- Creative projects that can be further developed during their residency, either in the studio, library or in exterior castle grounds.
- Meeting and presenting their work for the local public that can have various forms (public rehearsals, readings, workshops, exhibitions…), which the artists agree to with SE.S.TA.
- Respect for the place and the people who work and live here.
Artists’ projects selected for 2014
SE.S.TA residency at the Castle at Žďár nad Sázavou will support:
- The performance by Anny Polívkovéa and Halka Třešńákova Walk in Progress
- 2 creative teams from the international network “Identity Move”
- The winning project of the chorographic competition Kylián Foundation
