The cross-state network explore dance, established in 2018, has set itself the goal of providing children and young people with sustainable access to contemporary dance and thus closing the gap that still exists in the cultural programme for children and young people in Germany. Through the production, touring and mediation of dance pieces, the area of dance for young audiences is established and expanded nationwide at a high artistic quality level with a co-operative, cultural-federalist concept and the visibility of dance as an art form is permanently strengthened.

Experiencing theatre and dance performances is an essential artistic experience for children and young people - making this experience possible for them is a fundamental cultural policy task. explore dance aims to give all children and young people, regardless of their place of residence and social background, access to dance as an art form and participation in artistic experiences.

The network focuses on the diversity of current contemporary dance styles and innovative formats. In addition to stage productions, it primarily develops mobile pop-up pieces that also provide access to dance as an art form away from the theatre stage - for example in schools, museums, cultural centres or in public spaces. Children and young people are actively involved in all phases of the artistic work processes.

Six years of explore dance show the potential that dance opens up for young audiences: 34 dance productions with over 500 performances nationwide and internationally, rehearsal visits, workshops and dialogue formats as well as collaboration with over 400 schools and 150 artists are evidence of the network's success. In addition to the 2019 Perspective Prize of the German Theatre Award DER FAUST, the network received the award for outstanding development in dance as part of the German Dance Award 2024.

For all information about explore dance, enquiries and queries about our pop-up and stage productions, educational programmes and festivals, please contact us at: explore-dance.de