[Zoom-in] Fresh voices, new perspectives
Emerging artists are the lifeblood of festivals, bringing fresh perspectives, creative energy, and new artistic ideas. Recognising their importance, many festivals actively include emerging talent in their programmes, providing opportunities for artists to showcase their work, develop their practice, and connect with new audiences.
One of the initiatives supporting this mission is EFFEA (the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists), a programme of the European Festivals Association (EFA). EFFEA provides emerging artists with opportunities to develop their careers internationally through festival residencies, fostering artistic exchange, collaboration, and professional growth across Europe.
Based on that, we are highlighting five festivals that are hosting EFFEA residencies and playing an important role in supporting the next generation of artists.
The upcoming EFFEA Call #5 will open soon, welcoming a new round of applications. You can find more information here.
ZANT 2026
25 - 28 June 2026, Ulm, Germany
Once again, ZANT transforms the city of Ulm into a vibrant meeting place for artists, audiences, and partners from across Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and beyond. Founded with the aim of strengthening contemporary dance in Ulm, the festival presents a diverse programme ranging from regional dance makers to internationally acclaimed choreographers. It showcases emerging voices alongside established artists, creating opportunities for exchange and discovery. One of them is Clémentine Bart, an EFFEA artist who will have her residency at ZANT festival, featuring workshops, community engagement activities, and a work-in-progress presentation.
More details here.
Photo via: Facebook
Miłosz Festival 2026
2 - 5 July 2026, Kraków, Poland
The Miłosz Festival brings the richness and diversity of world poetry to its audiences while celebrating Poland’s literary heritage. At its heart is the relationship between poet and reader. This year, the festival serves as the lead partner for EFFEA artist Andrea Popyordanova. As part of the programme, she will undertake an artistic residency at the Design Pharmacy, an interdisciplinary creative hub in Kraków’s Wesoła district. The residency will provide a dedicated space for artistic development and experimentation, and Andrea will also lead a workshop, creating opportunities for engagement with local participants and the wider festival community.
Find out more about the festival here.
Photo via: Facebook
Wonderfeel 2026
3 - 5 July 2026, Baarn, Netherlands
Set in the scenic surroundings of Landgoed Groeneveld in Baarn, Wonderfeel is one of the Netherlands’ leading outdoor festivals for classical music and artistic exchange. Now in its twelfth edition, the festival presents more than 100 performances by hundreds of international musicians, bringing together classical repertoire with jazz, pop, soul, and global influences, alongside dance, literature, and family activities.
This year, Wonderfeel will host two EFFEA residencies. The first brings together Katherina Lindekens and Inne Eysermans with Da Pacem, a project that combines Baroque music and contemporary soundscapes. The second one is the residency of Hadewych van Gent and Ana-Carmen Balestra. Together with guitarist Vitor Noah, they present a programme inspired by South American and Spanish musical traditions, blending voice, cello, and guitar.
More information here.
Photo via: Facebook
Santarcangelo Festival 2026
3 - 12 July 2026, Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy
Since 1971, Santarcangelo Festival has established itself as a landmark event for contemporary performing arts in Italy and across Europe. Each summer, the town of Santarcangelo di Romagna becomes a dynamic space for artistic experimentation, bringing together artists, citizens, and audiences through performances, workshops, residencies, and public encounters that connect art, public space, and local communities.
Santarcangelo Festival will host three EFFEA residencies. The first one is the residency of Ewa Dziarnowska, where Santarcangelo will be the leading festival for her residency. Ewa will develop her new work, Signature Dances, a project that explores the relationship between the body, intimacy, and memory. Then, the festival will serve as a partner for Jana Jacuka, who will continue her research in vocal choreography and Harald Beharie, who will bring his choreographic practice to the residency, investigating questions of identity, embodiment, and collective experience.
More details could be found here.
Photo via: Facebook
Les Longues Journées 2026
3 - 5 July 2026, VILLE SUR JARNIOUX, France
For three days, Les Longues Journées brings together artists, audiences, and cultural partners in the rural landscape of Ville-sur-Jarnioux. The 2026 edition explores dramaturgical research within local communities, marginal contexts, and international collaborations between France and Italy. Through theatre, performance, music, and shared meals, the festival creates a space for artistic exchange and collective reflection.
As part of its 2026 programme, Les Longues Journées will host the EFFEA residency of Edouard Pénaud and Jérémie Galiana. Their documentary theatre project, How Are You?, is developed with psychiatric patients, prisoners, migrants, and elderly people in care homes. Combining workshops and performance, the residency places marginalized voices at the centre of the creative process, exploring how theatre can challenge institutions, foster dialogue, and create new forms of collective storytelling.
Check out more details here.
Photo via: Website
