Event History
LIVE WORKS - Free School of Performance is a project by Centrale Fies, now in its 13th edition, dedicated to the exploration of the boundaries of the performing arts. Established in 2013 in collaboration with Viafarini, the program has become a significant platform for contemporary live practices, encouraging interdisciplinary and hybrid research in performance art. The platform is focused on supporting projects that push the limits of traditional performance, fostering the development of both theoretical and practical perspectives on the evolving nature of performance.
What Makes this event different?
Focus on Hybrid and Interdisciplinary Practices: The program actively encourages projects that push the boundaries of traditional performance, including sound and new media arts, text-based performances, multimedia storytelling, and more. This makes it ideal for artists working at the intersection of different disciplines and forms. Support for Long-Term, Unpublished Projects: It specifically targets projects that are either unpublished or in long-term development. This allows artists to apply for support at critical stages of their work, helping them to evolve or finalize projects that might not fit into conventional deadlines or formats. Multiple Residency Phases: The program offers two residency periods—an individual residency and a collective residency—which provide artists with both focused time to develop their work and the opportunity to collaborate with other selected artists in a communal setting. This dual residency structure fosters both individual exploration and collective dialogue. Curatorial and Production Support: The residency offers comprehensive curatorial and technical assistance, ensuring that selected projects receive tailored guidance in both creative and practical aspects of their development. This support spans from intellectual feedback to technical execution.
LIVE WORKS – Free School of Performance is an international open call and research platform promoted by Centrale Fies, dedicated to the practical and theoretical exploration of the boundaries of the performing arts. Now in its 13th edition, the programme supports contemporary live practices that expand and challenge the concept of performance in relation to current cultural, social, and political transformations.
Created in 2013 by Centrale Fies in collaboration with Viafarini, LIVE WORKS was conceived as a space for artistic experimentation, critical reflection, and production support. Curated by Barbara Boninsegna, Artistic Director and co-founder of Centrale Fies, and Simone Frangi, researcher, critic, and curator, the programme offers selected artists a context specifically designed to respond to their research and production needs. LIVE WORKS understands performance as a “workspace”: both an artistic tool and a cultural exercise, capable of generating reflection, dialogue, and public engagement.
The open call welcomes a wide range of performative practices, including sound and new media art, text-based performances, lecture performances, multimedia storytelling, choreography, relational and workshop-based projects, and other proposals that question the idea of performativity beyond the body. Applications are open to artists and professionals of any age and nationality, applying individually or collectively, with one project only. The call accepts unpublished projects or long-term works still in development and/or requiring completion.
The programme is structured through multiple residency periods and a Free School of Performance composed of studio visits, critical sessions, and reading groups, supporting each project through curatorial guidance from theoretical reflection to technical development. Centrale Fies also provides dedicated production and curatorial staff throughout the process.
Six projects will be selected. Each will receive a €3,000 fellowship, participation in the Kick Off Seminar on 18–20 July 2026 during Live Works Summit 2026, a two-week individual residency between September and December 2026, and a collective residency in summer 2027 during Live Works Summit 2027. Travel, food, and accommodation for both residencies are covered. The resulting performances will be presented at Centrale Fies during Live Works Summit 2027 and discussed with an international board of professionals.
