Festival:27 | Applications Now Open!
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 @ 11:59pm PST
Application Form
Open Call
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 @ 11:59pm PST
push/FOLD's Union PDX - Festival of Contemporary Dance returns for our seventh iteration this April 2027!
Applications are now open worldwide for all professional artists and companies making contemporary work in ANY dance style, genre, or tradition!
Dedicated to the growth and advancement of dancers and artists, selected festival artists perform at the brand-new Foster Theater, teach advanced and professional level dancers, engage with audiences through post-show Artist-Talks and Q&As, network with fellow artists, presenters, and company directors, and celebrate the art of dance.
Click Here to apply and read below learn more about eligibility, compensation, and the application process.
Questions related to the festival and application process, including becoming a festival partner, should be directed to: contact@pushfold.org.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 @ 11:59pm PST
- Festival Invitations: December 2026
- Tech Rehearsal Dates: April 14 or 15, 2027 (for each group/artist)
- Performance Dates: April 15-18, 2027 (3 Public Performances, 1 Invited Dress Rehearsal)
Eligibility & Guidelines
- The festival is open to all regional, national, and international artists/groups from ANY dance style, genre, or tradition with a focus on creating contemporaneous work within their form.
- Applicants MUST have a demonstrated minimum three (3) years of professional choreographic experience.
- Material submitted MUST be the work that you plan to present at the festival. Rehearsal videos will be accepted.
- Each artist/group can submit a maximum of two (2) works. Each work requires a separate application.
- To be considered, ensemble work (2+ dancers) should be at a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 24 minutes in length. Solos should be between 7 - 15 minutes.
- Works in progress are accepted and considered, but the video work sample must show at least 75% of the completed work. Works still in conceptual form will not be considered.
- Improvisational works are acceptable, but must include a clear and consistent structure similar to submitted sample video. All improvised sections must be clearly outlined within your application submission.
- Applicants must own the rights to all of the music and choreography in the submission. Commissioned repertoire works from artists not with your group will not be considered.
- Submitted videos should not be edited except to show different angles/focuses from a single continuous performance. Promotional videos will not be considered.
- Nudity and strong language are acceptable, but gratuitous works will not be considered (determination of which is at the discretion of the curatorial team).
- In selecting works for consideration, please be mindful that lighting and technical requirements must conform to and be flexible for a festival setting.
- Aerialist groups must supply their own support structure.
Visa Information
All applicants must be legally authorized to enter and perform/work in the United States and must hold any required visa or work authorization for the duration of the festival dates. Please note, ESTA Visa's (AKA "Visitors' Visas") do not allow for working in the United States.
International artists who require a visa to work in the United States may be considered for the following Festival year to account for the US visa application and permitting process. However, Union PDX is unable to sponsor visa petitions.
Festival Schedule
The typical schedule for the festival occurs over 4-5 days (Wednesday - Sunday). Below is an example from our 2026 iteration.
Tech Rehearsals
- Wednesday | Tech Rehearsal for push/FOLD and some groups/artists.
- Thursday | Tech Rehearsal for remaining groups/artists.
Dress Rehearsal
- Thursday | Invited Dress Rehearsal with in-person student audience.
Performances
- Friday & Saturday | 7:30pm Performance w/ post-show Artist-talks.
- Sunday | 4:00pm Performance w/ post-show Soirée
Masterclasses & Workshops
- Friday & Saturday | Afternoon Masterclasses & Workshops
- Sunday | Professional Development Workshops for Artists
Participant Compensation
- Performance stipend (between $1000 - $1500). The stipend is calculated from several factors including the length of the work, size of group, and travel distance.
- Non-local artists: per diem and housing will be provided for up to 4 artists for up to 5 days, in addition to the above stipend.
- Non-local artists: travel to/from venue and lodging within city for performances and respective masterclasses, and travel to/from Portland International Airport (PDX).
- Professional photographs and video footage of performance.
- Professional photographs of masterclass instruction.
- Free access to all festival masterclasses and workshops.
Artists are responsible for travel to/from Portland, Oregon and any applicable visas, fees, and taxes associated with performing in the United States.
Housing Support
Housing is available for selected artists traveling from outside the Portland area. Artists traveling as a group should expect to share rooms with other members of their group. Private rooms and specific room configurations are not guaranteed.
Curation
A panel of professional artists representing various movement disciplines and demographics review all applications.
Strong submissions will demonstrate a clarity to artistic vision, professional execution within your form, and a devotion to pushing artistic boundaries and advancing the craft of movement.
Jonathan Hsu | 2021 Union PDX Festival Artist: Evelyn Tejeda