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| Montpellier Danse | |
|---|---|
| Name | Montpellier Danse |
| Location | Montpellier, Hérault, France |
| Years active | 1985–present |
Montpellier Danse is an annual contemporary dance festival and performing-arts organization based in Montpellier, Occitanie. It presents a seasonal program of performances, commissions, and residencies that brings together choreographers, companies, and institutions from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. The festival operates in partnership with municipal and regional bodies and collaborates with cultural institutions, theatres, and biennales across France and internationally.
Founded in the mid-1980s, Montpellier Danse emerged during a period of expansion in French cultural policy involving figures such as Jack Lang, François Mitterrand, Georges Pompidou-era institutions and regional cultural networks in Occitanie. Early editions engaged companies linked to pioneers like Maurice Béjart, Pina Bausch, Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp and ensembles associated with venues such as Théâtre de la Ville and Opéra de Paris. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the festival expanded programming to include experimental and cross-disciplinary work by groups connected to Centre Pompidou, National Theatre of Marseille, Biennale de Lyon and international festivals such as Venice Biennale and Sao Paulo Biennial. Leadership transitions involved collaborations with municipal authorities in Montpellier and regional councils, aligning the festival with broader cultural strategies that also engaged institutions like Institut Français and networks such as European Dancehouse Network.
The 21st century saw Montpellier Danse strengthen ties with choreographers from Africa, Latin America and Asia, integrating artists associated with Jerusalem International Dance Week, Festival d'Avignon, Biennale de la Danse de Lyon and companies rooted in contemporary collectives linked to Ecole des Sables and Butoh practitioners. The festival has navigated shifts in public funding, touring circuits, and digital dissemination alongside peers like Festival d'Automne à Paris and La Biennale de la Danse de Lyon.
Programming combines evening performances, site-specific works, outdoor events, and multidisciplinary commissions. The festival regularly features artists affiliated with institutions such as CND Lyon, Sursock Museum, Sadler's Wells Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Barbican Centre, and companies led by choreographers like Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Angelin Preljocaj, Shen Wei, Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Merce Cunningham-influenced groups, and collectives from Cape Town and São Paulo. Special seasons have presented retrospectives of figures tied to Martha Graham, Isadora Duncan, Rudolf Nureyev and collaborations with contemporary visual artists represented by Musée Fabre and galleries frequently involved in Montpellier cultural life.
The program often includes co-productions with broadcasters and festivals such as Arte, France Télévisions, BBC Arts, NHK, Festival Internacional Cervantino and touring agreements with venues including Théâtre National de Chaillot, Comédie-Française, Palais Garnier and regional theatres in Occitanie. The festival curates off-site events in public spaces consistent with practices seen at Festival d'Avignon and street arts festivals like Karlsruhe Kulturbahnhof.
Performances take place in a range of venues across Montpellier and the Hérault department, including municipal theatres, contemporary dance studios, and outdoor sites near landmarks such as Place de la Comédie, Musée Fabre, and the Le Corum convention centre. Collaborating venues have included Cloître des Carmes, Opéra Berlioz, Théâtre Jean Vilar, and contemporary arts spaces affiliated with Université de Montpellier. Technical infrastructure and residency facilities draw on partnerships with production houses and rehearsal centres linked to Maison de la Danse, CNDC Angers, La Briqueterie and European dancehouses in networks like TransEurope Halles.
Logistical coordination engages local transport authorities, municipal planning bodies and hospitality partners to accommodate touring companies from institutions such as Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet, Munich Biennale affiliates, and independent ensembles from cities including Berlin, London, New York, Buenos Aires and Tokyo.
Artistic direction has involved directors and curators with backgrounds in festival management, choreography and curatorial practice, often connected to conservatories and schools such as Conservatoire de Montpellier, École de danse de l'Opéra de Paris and international pedagogues from Codarts and Juilliard. Notable choreographers who have presented works include Pina Bausch, Maurice Béjart, Angelin Preljocaj, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Shen Wei, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater alumni choreographers, and emerging artists associated with institutions like Ecole des Sables and Fondation Royaumont.
The festival commissions new works and hosts residencies for companies connected to producers such as Les Subsistances, Théâtre de la Ville, Maison des Arts de Créteil and international partners including Sydney Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Festival Internacional Cervantino.
Outreach programs collaborate with conservatories, secondary schools, university departments at Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier III, cultural mediation services, and community centres. Workshops and masterclasses have been led by artists linked to London Contemporary Dance School, Pôle Sud and visiting faculty from Juilliard, Codarts and CNSMD Lyon. Educational offers include youth programming in partnership with municipal cultural networks, internships for students associated with Conservatoire de Montpellier, and training projects co-run with institutions like Maison de la Danse and CNDC Angers.
The festival also develops digital resources and partnerships with broadcasting organisations such as Arte and educational platforms coordinated with regional cultural services in Occitanie.
Montpellier Danse has received recognition from regional and national bodies including awards and support from Ministry of Culture, regional councils, and European cultural funds. Its productions and commissioned works have earned prizes at festivals like Festival d'Avignon, Biennale de la Danse de Lyon, Venice Biennale, and accolades bestowed by organisations such as French Dance Critics Association and international juries at events in Edinburgh, Berlin and Buenos Aires.
Category:Festivals in France