Start of the new discourse series: Artistic mediation as a practice

A filmic insight into the explore dance professional day in Potsdam on “Diversity of perspectives in artistic dance mediation for young audiences”

How can dance mediation for young audiences be rethought, designed, and anchored? Our new discourse series delves into these question – driven by the ambition to understand mediation not as an add-on to the performance, but as the heart of artistic practice.

The series launched with a professional day hosted by our network partner fabrik Potsdam. A highlight of the event was a visit to a Potsdam daycare center to see the pop-up Ritournelles by Johanna Ackva and Laura Gary. Young children aged three and up were actively involved in the development of this production. This hands-on insight exemplifies what lies at the core of this approach: taking the perspective of young audiences seriously and co-creating artistic processes with them.

In subsequent discussion panels, artists, dance mediators, and network partners shared key impulses, experiences, and forward-looking questions on the future of mediation practice. These conversations highlighted the multifaceted nature of dance mediation today: whether as an invitation into an artistic world, a shared space for research, or an interface connecting to the diverse everyday lives of young audiences – mediation negotiates, collaborates, and reassembles.

Across three digital Zoom sessions running through spring 2027, the series will explore core questions of aesthetics, participation, and accessibility for a nationwide and international professional audience. The discourse will culminate in May 2027 with an in-person event at the Zentrum junger Tanz in Frankfurt am Main.

A video feature by Oskar Smollny for explore dance | 6 November 2026

Dates:

Wed, Nov 18, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 AM (online) – Artistic mediation as a practice (in German)
Wed, Jan 13, 2027, 9:00 – 10:30 AM (online) – Participation and co-creation (in English)
Wed, Mar 17, 2027, 9:00 – 10:30 AM (online) – Accessibility and institutional conditions (in English)

The three sessions can be attended independently of one another. Upon registration via info@explore-dance.de, participants will receive the invitation link by email.

Further information can be found in our program within our Discourse section.