The next New Works Now, the ISPA pitch session, will take place at the New York 2011 ISPA Congress in New York City on January 12, 2011.

Developed from a program originated at the Banff Film and Television Festival in Alberta, Canada, New Works Now, the ISPA pitch session, is a forum for creators to share new international and/or cross-cultural projects with ISPA’s prestigious international network of performing arts professionals.  Presenters have the opportunity to pitch their new work to more than 300 delegates from 35 countries.

Twice a year, nine to eleven projects are selected to participate in New Works Now held at an ISPA Congress.  Selected applicants have seven minutes to pitch their new work during New Works Now and following the session have the opportunity to interact directly with delegates during ISPA’s informal networking session; ProEx (Professional Exchange).

Past presenters in New Works Now have included proposals from many of the world’s leading dance, music, and theater artists including, but not limited to: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (United States), Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Siobhan Davies Dance Company (Great Britain), Chinese Music Virtuosi (Hong Kong), Chunky Move and Balletlab (Australia), Compagnie Marie Chouinard (Canada), Emio Greco/PC (Netherlands), Farm in the Cave (Czech Republic), Michael Curry (United States), Opera Africa and Farber Foundry (Africa), Ping Chong & Company (U.S./China), SITI Company (United States), T’Ang Quartet (Singapore), and Ultima Vez (Belgium).

View an example of a New Works Now pitch given at the New York 2010 Congress: New Works Now Pitch "Aviary".

Who should apply?

Those who are interested in presenting a new project to an international delegation of performing arts industry professionals should consider New Works Now.  Prospective projects vary in discipline, scale, and country of origin.  Multi-disciplinary and/or multi-national projects are particularly attractive to ISPA delegates, though all project types and applications will be considered.  Prospective projects must meet one of the two following criteria:

1. Be in development or have had no or little professional exposure and will premiere within the next two years OR;
2. Has recently premiered, but has a potential for international touring and room for artistic enhancement and expansion.

Application and Selection Process

Information on the application and selection process for New Works Now, the ISPA pitch session, at the New York 2011 ISPA Congress on January 11-13, 2011 will be available in September 2010.