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TripSpace is delighted to invite applications from mothers working as independent choreographers for the MotherSpace Artistic Residency.
Motherhood should not be a barrier to sustaining an artistic career.
Yet mothers remain one of the least supported groups within the independent dance sector, despite the incredible leadership, adaptability, resilience and creative skills that can develop through the experience of caring.
MotherSpace has been created to support choreographer mothers to continue developing their artistic practice, strengthen their leadership and teaching skills, and build more sustainable careers within the dance sector.
THE OPPORTUNITY
TripSpace is looking for three independent choreographer mothers who have not previously received significant or ongoing support from established dance or cultural organisations, and who would particularly benefit from the opportunity to develop their artistic practice, wellbeing and professional growth through this four-month programme.
As part of the programme, the selected artists will also have the opportunity to contribute to ProDance Training at TripSpace, sharing their movement practice, research and teaching approach with the professional dance community.
For this reason, applicants should have experience teaching contemporary/professional dance classes, or a strong interest and ability in developing their teaching practice. A willingness to engage with teaching as an extension of their artistic and choreographic practice is an important part of the opportunity.
Each selected artist will receive:
– An 8-day Artistic Residency at TripSpace: 28 hours of dedicated studio time to develop their choreographic practice, explore new ideas and allow their work to take shape.
– £1,200 Seed Commission: Financial support towards the development of their work.
– £400 Teaching Fee — 8 x 90-minute ProDance Classes: The opportunity to teach 8 ProDance classes at TripSpace, sharing their movement language, research and approach with professional dancers.
Teaching practice is an important part of MotherSpace, providing an opportunity for selected artists to develop and articulate their artistic practice through teaching while connecting with the professional dance community.
– £320 Childcare Allowance: Financial support towards childcare costs during participation in the programme.
– £100 1 x Friday Afternoon Work-in-Progress Sharing; An opportunity to share their developing work with an audience and receive feedback within a supportive environment.
– Mentoring: Individual support to help selected artists develop their artistic practice, navigate challenges and identify opportunities for the future.
– Free Access to the Lead&Create Leadership Course: Participation in a leadership programme delivered by coaches specialising in leadership, constructive conflict and relational dynamics.
The programme includes:
Weekly content, such as podcasts, TED Talks and articles, to explore in participants’ own time
2-hour online live masterclasses with guest specialists every Friday, 8:30am–10:45am UK (London time), except for the Dana Caspersen session. Sessions are recorded and available to watch for three months afterwards.
A private LinkedIn group for peer connection
– Free Access to Postnatal Yoga Classes and the Recovery Workshop
– £600 Trip the Light Performance Fee
WHO CAN APPLY?
TripSpace welcomes applications from independent choreographers who are mothers and are interested in developing their artistic practice, leadership and teaching.
Applicants should:
– Be a mother and an independent dance artist/choreographer
– Have experience teaching dance, ideally within a professional or contemporary dance context, or demonstrate a strong interest in developing their teaching practice
– Be interested in sharing their movement practice through ProDance Training at TripSpace
– Be available to participate in the four-month programme and its key activities
– Not have previously received significant or ongoing support from an established dance or cultural organisation
TripSpace particularly encourages applications from artists who are looking for:
– Dedicated time and space to develop their work
– Support in sustaining or reimagining their choreographic career
– An opportunity to develop and share their teaching practice
– A community of other artist-mothers
– Mentoring and leadership development
– Opportunities to develop more sustainable ways of working
A supportive environment in which motherhood and artistic practice can coexist
Applicants do not need to have a specific finished project in mind. MotherSpace is interested in artists, ideas and practices that are ready to develop.
APPLY
MotherSpace is for choreographer mothers who have been looking for the time, space, support and community to take their practice forward, while also developing their teaching and leadership practice.
The programme offers an opportunity for selected artists to keep creating, keep leading, keep teaching and keep developing their artistic voice, while acknowledging and valuing the reality of motherhood.
Applications are now open.
Application deadline: 11th October
For questions or further information: hello@tripspace.co.uk
Where is the MotherSpace programme based?
MotherSpace is a London-based programme, and the residency, ProDance teaching and other in-person activities will take place in London.
Is there funding for travel and accommodation?
Unfortunately, there is no additional budget available for travel, accommodation or other relocation costs. Applicants should therefore be able to attend the programme and residency activities in London without requiring additional travel or accommodation funding from MotherSpace.
How long is the artistic residency?
The programme includes two weeks of artistic residency time at TripSpace, providing dedicated studio space for the development of your creative work.
The two residency periods will not take place consecutively. They will be scheduled at different points during the programme, allowing time between the residency periods for reflection, development and further creative exploration.
What does the residency include?
The residency provides dedicated studio time at TripSpace to develop your creative practice or project. The residency is intended to give you protected time and space to explore, experiment and develop your work alongside the other elements of the MotherSpace programme.
Is there a budget to pay collaborators or performers?
The MotherSpace budget does not include additional funding to pay collaborators, performers, dancers or other members of a creative team.
If your proposed work requires collaborators or performers, you should consider how this will be managed within the resources available to you. The MotherSpace team can discuss your proposed approach with you, but cannot provide additional fees for collaborators or performers.
Is there a commission or development fee?
Yes. Each selected artist will receive a £1,200 seed commission to support the development of their creative work as part of the programme.
What other support is included in MotherSpace?
Alongside the artistic residency and commission, the programme includes:
ProDance teaching opportunities
Mentoring and creative developmentwith Coach & Choreographer Neus Gil Cortes
Free participation in the Lead & Create online course
Postnatal yoga and recovery support
Community gatherings
Opportunities to connect with other mother-artists
A public sharing/performance event in January 2027 at TRIPSPACE
What is Lead & Create?
Lead & Create is a six-week online course designed to support dance professionals in developing their leadership, communication and project-management skills.
As a selected MotherSpace artist, you will have the opportunity to attend the Lead & Create course free of charge. The usual course price is £185, with an Early Bird price of £135.
The course offers practical tools and perspectives around leadership, communication, difficult conversations, project structures, wellbeing and creating healthier creative working environments.
Will the work be performed?
Yes. The programme will culminate in a public performance event in January 2027, where the selected artists will have an opportunity to share work developed through the MotherSpace programme.
Do I need to have a finished piece for the January performance?
No. MotherSpace is a development programme, and the residency is intended to support artistic exploration and development. The January event will provide an opportunity to share the work developed during the programme.
We are interested in the creative process and development of your practice, rather than expecting you to arrive with a finished work.
Is there funding specifically for the January performance?
The MotherSpace programme offers a £600 performance fee however does not have an additional budget for collaborators or performers beyond the funding already outlined in the programme.
Applicants should therefore consider what is realistic to develop and share within the resources available.
Will I be expected to teach a ProDance class?
Yes. As part of the MotherSpace programme, selected artists will contribute to the ProDance programme at TripSpace and will receive a £400 teaching fee for eight ProDance classes.
The teaching element is an important part of the programme and provides an opportunity for artists to share their practice with professional and experienced dancers.
What kind of class would I be expected to teach?
The ProDance programme at TripSpace is focused on contemporary dance, so the class you offer should be relevant to this context and appropriate for professional and experienced contemporary dancers.
We are interested in how your own artistic practice, movement language, research or choreographic approach could translate into a class or movement practice for the ProDance community.
You do not necessarily need to have extensive previous teaching experience, but you should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in sharing your practice and working with dancers.
Do I need to be a contemporary dance teacher already?
Not necessarily. However, your proposed ProDance class should have a clear relationship to contemporary dance practice, and you should feel comfortable working with professional and experienced dancers.
We are particularly interested in artists who can bring their own perspective, movement research and artistic practice into the studio.
Can I use the residency to develop work with other artists?
Yes, you can develop your work collaboratively, but please note that MotherSpace does not provide additional fees for collaborators or performers.
Any collaboration should therefore be planned within the resources available to you.
Do I need to live in London to apply?
The programme is based in London, and selected artists will need to be able to attend the in-person elements of the programme. As there is no additional budget for travel or accommodation, applicants should consider whether they can realistically participate from their current location.
Why is MotherSpace specifically for mothers?
MotherSpace has been created in response to the particular challenges faced by mothers working independently in dance and choreography.
The programme aims to create time, space, support and community for artists who are navigating creative careers alongside motherhood.
Who are you looking for?
We are looking for independent choreographer mothers who have had limited access to structured support and development opportunities within the dance sector, and who have not previously been supported through ongoing programmes or initiatives led by established dance or cultural organisations.
We are particularly interested in artists who would benefit from dedicated time, space, development opportunities and a supportive community to sustain and develop their creative practice.
Can I apply if I have previously received some funding or support?
The programme is intended for artists who have had limited access to ongoing support and development opportunities from established dance or cultural organisations.
If you have received occasional funding, participated in a one-off workshop or received individual opportunities, this does not necessarily mean you are ineligible. What we are seeking to avoid is selecting artists who are already receiving substantial or ongoing support through established organisational programmes.
If you are unsure whether your previous support affects your eligibility, please contact us.
Do I need to have an existing choreographic project?
Not necessarily. You may apply with an existing project, an idea you would like to explore, or a broader area of artistic research or practice that you would like to develop.
We are interested in potential, curiosity and artistic development, as well as where your practice could go with dedicated time and support.
What happens between the two residency periods?
The gap between the residency periods is intentional. It allows artists time to reflect on their research, develop ideas, teach within the ProDance programme, receive mentoring and continue their creative enquiry before returning to the studio.
When will the public performance take place?
The MotherSpace public performance event, Trip The Light, will take place in January 2027.
Further details about the date, format and venue will be shared with selected artists.
What if I have questions that aren’t answered here?
We welcome questions about the programme and the application process. If you are unsure about your eligibility, the residency structure, ProDance teaching or any other aspect of MotherSpace, please get in touch with the MotherSpace team before submitting your application.
When will the selected artists be announced?
We aim to announce the three selected MotherSpace artists by 15 October 2026.
All applicants will be contacted following the selection process.
Hello,
We’re reaching out to you, our wonderful community of dancers, yogis, teachers, artists, movers, and friends, because you are at the heart of everything TripSpace has become over the last 13 years.
Together, we have created something truly special beneath the arches: a space for movement, creativity, wellbeing, learning, connection, and belonging. We are incredibly proud of what we have built as a community and deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.
As we look ahead to the next chapter of TripSpace, we feel inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. We believe this is the right moment to invite fresh ideas, new energy, and creative leadership into the studio, helping it continue to evolve, thrive, and serve future generations of movers and makers.
Looking Ahead
We are not looking to step away from TripSpace, but rather to explore opportunities for collaboration, partnership, and shared vision. Whether that means welcoming a strategic partner, a creative collaborator, an investor, or someone interested in playing a larger role in the studio’s future, our intention is to ensure that TripSpace remains a vibrant and sustainable home for our community for many years to come.
Why We’re Sharing This With You
We genuinely believe that the people who understand the value and potential of TripSpace best may already be part of our community.
Perhaps you have ideas, experience, connections, or an interest in becoming more involved. Perhaps you know someone who shares our passion for movement, creativity, and community. We would love to start those conversations.
We’ve attached a short overview outlining the strengths of the studio and some of the exciting opportunities we see for its future.
Interested in Exploring Further?
To allow us to remain focused on the day-to-day life of the studio, we’ve asked our trusted advisor, Michael Shaw, to handle any initial conversations. Michael is a passionate yogi, movement enthusiast, and experienced consultant who understands both the values and vision behind TripSpace.
For a friendly and confidential conversation, please contact:
Michael Shaw
📧 michael@michael-shaw.co.uk
📞 +44 7875 697356
Thank you for being such an important part of the TripSpace story. Your support, presence, and trust have helped shape this community, and we’re excited to imagine what the next chapter might look like together.
With gratitude, love, and movement,
Montse & Giuliana 💛