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Applications are now open again for the Performing Arts Strategy Lab – spend a week in November or December setting a strategic direction for your work in the performing arts.
UP offers the Strategy Lab as a one-week, paid strategy development programme for performing arts groups. Here, you will have the opportunity to work intensively on developing a strategic direction.
You will have time to reflect on conscious choices and trade-offs that can support your artistic and organisational visions
The programme is a unique opportunity to give your strategy a boost.
- Where are you heading in your performing arts and organisational practice?
- What does it take to bring about change or a new business model?
- How can you work on projects with a longer-term perspective or create a new structure?
The development programme is paid – treat it as a priority work programme for your group or company.
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab takes place at Thoravej 29 in collaboration with the Bikuben Foundation.
You can apply to join the Performing Arts Strategy Lab in 2026 during weeks: 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50.
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab: from idea to strategy
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab is all about moving from idea to strategy. Some of the questions you might be working on include:
- What opportunities and challenges in our environment should we take into account?
- How do we build strong partnerships and networks that support our strategic direction?
- How do we clearly communicate our vision and values to both audiences and partners?
- What is our plan to ensure a financial framework that supports our strategy?
How is the week in the Strategy Lab structured?
The programme begins with an introductory day prior to the Lab week, where you will receive a basic introduction to strategy development, models and tools that are useful for identifying your focus and needs, so that you are equipped to work on the strategy process yourselves during your Lab week.
You will then be assigned a strategy coach who can support you in setting a direction for your ambitions and mapping out the next steps in your strategy. The strategy coach will visit you twice during the week for a set period of time.
In addition, a dedicated contact person from UP will be assigned to you, acting as your Lab host throughout the programme.
The Performing Arts Strategy Lab culminates in a debriefing session with your strategy facilitator and UP host, where you will present the week’s reflections and key points.
What does the programme involve?
- A obligatory introduction day for all selected groups with a strategy consultant who will introduce methods for strategy development
- An online toolbox for strategy and organisational development, where UP uploads materials you can use during the Lab week
- A strategy coach
- A Lab host from UP, who will be present at Thoravej
- A workshop on the final day of the Lab, where you will present the week’s reflections and key points
- A mandatory networking and knowledge-sharing meeting for all selected groups following the overall Performing Arts Strategy Lab at the end of the year
- A digital evaluation via questionnaire
- Free access to book UP’s meeting rooms and Green Room on Baldersgade for one year for work related to your strategy development
Practical information
- The programme lasts one working week (Monday to Friday). In your application, you can select your preferred week(s).
- All programmes take place at Thoravej 29 in Copenhagen. To ensure knowledge sharing, it is mandatory that Lab work is carried out in the allocated Studio during daytime hours.
- The programme is paid for up to four people in a single group. Payment covers five working days plus an additional working day for participation in the introduction and knowledge-sharing sessions. We offer a salary, pension and holiday pay to each participant.
- Travel and accommodation are covered for participants who have a public transport journey of more than 1.5 hours within Denmark to Thoravej 29.
- Free lunch provided at Thoravej.
- Please note that we will ask you to share key points from your process and what you have developed during your Lab programme in a digital format.
See more about the studio here.
Who can apply? And what should we bear in mind?
Application criteria:
Groups/companies with 2–4 participants during the strategy programme. Please note that these participants do not need to be permanent members of the group/company, but all must take part in the entire Lab programme.
Applicants must have at least two years’ relevant professional experience in the performing arts.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that a strategy programme is relevant and will benefit their future work and the development of the group/company.
We encourage everyone to apply, regardless of age, gender, national background, economic/social background, functional abilities, etc.
Applicants who have previously been part of Strategi-Lab are welcome to apply to participate again.
Application process:
- The application deadline is 21 August at 14:00
- Applicants will be contacted in mid-September
- Applications may be submitted in Danish or English
- Selection will be made by a curatorial group consisting of two UP staff members and an external curator. UP appoints external curators based on an assessment of their professional experience.
Mandatory dates for the second half of 2026:
5 October, 12:00–16:15: Introductory day for participants
16 December, 12:00–16:00: Joint networking and knowledge-sharing meeting for all participating groups
Both events will take place in person at UP, and it will not be possible to participate online. The events will be held in Danish, but if translation is required, UP will provide printed materials, guidelines and presentations in English.