Next Stage

Next stage logos

Next Stage was launched in 2021 to support innovation in the opera and dance sectors by investing in transformative projects in Sustainability, Equality and Digital Transformation.

Next Stage is an intensive partnership between Opera Europa and FEDORA, the European Circle of Philanthropists of Opera and Ballet funded by Creative Europe. FEDORA is coordinating the fundraising effort from public and private sources, working closely with Opera Europa as the expert partner, alongside specialists in the fields of Sustainability, Inclusivity and Digital Transformation.

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The five first recipients of the first edition of the Next Stage Grants were announced during the Opera Europa Spring conference in June 2022.

These transformative projects in the fields of opera and dance will drive innovation through sustainability, inclusivity and digital transformation, involving 13 cultural organisations in 9 countries in Europe.

Based on how innovative, collaborative, transformative, feasible and scalable these projects are, the jury of experts chose the following projects to become recipients of €250,000, thanks to the support of a private foundation:


THE SCORCHED EARTH TRILOGY AND STREET ART OPERA APP 
Led by Irish National Opera (Ireland)
Attributed Grant: €80,000

SUSTAINABLE COSTUMES 
Led by Oper Leipzig (Germany)
Attributed Grant: €70,000

XR STAGE PHASE 2
Led by Finnish National Opera and Ballet (Finland)
Attributed Grant: €60,000

SENSORY THEATRE 
Led by AsLiCo (Italy)
Attributed Grant: €20,000

OPERA MATTERS
Led by Poznań Opera House (Poland)
Attributed Grant: €20,000
 

Learn more about the Recipients

The 3 pillars of Next Stage:

Sustainability

Focus on 3 separate fields:
On Stage:
Carbon footprint for sets and costumes, especially co-designed productions; usage of second hand products; material sourcing, etc.

Behind the Stage:
Facility management, energy consumption and management (e.g. new solar panels), waste management and reduction, carbon footprint for buildings, etc.

Beyond the Stage:
Audience mobility (e.g. performance ticket as a public transportation ticket), touring (freight and travels) and guest artist travel, etc.
 
Agreed on setting goals towards reducing the carbon footprint in the production process (e.g. nil net carbon footprint by 2050). Main current challenges are lack of knowledge; time; and budget.
 

Equality 

Focus on 3 separate fields:
On Stage: 
Diversity of artists (both artistic offer and background of artists)

Behind the Stage:
Nationality, ethnicity and gender of creative teams and administrative workforce
Diversity of repertory

Beyond the Stage:
Diversity of audiences in age, social background, economic background, disabilities/handicaps
 
The goal of guaranteeing equality is to ensure that opera and dance are relevant to society today.

 

Digital Transformation

The process of digital transformation is an ongoing phenomenon at the core of cultural organisations, now evaluated by many at around 50%. 

It promises multiple benefits:
On Stage:
Opening new paths for artistic creation

Behind the Stage:
Optimising work flow and coherence between services

Beyond the Stage:
Reaching larger and more diverse audiences