About ArtsCross

ArtsCross, an internationally recognised intercultural arts and research initiative, returns to London this summer for the first time since 2013, hosted by The Place. Bringing together choreographers, performers, scholars and producers from across the UK and Asia, ArtsCross has spent more than twenty years creating artistic exchange across cultural, national, linguistic and disciplinary borders. The 2026 London edition will culminate in Out of Place / 舞越異境 / 舞越异境, a series of outdoor performances on Friday 10 July at 12:30pm at Regent's Place, and 4pm in Russell Square.

This year’s project will see eight choreographers from Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and London working intensively over three weeks to create original performance works within the distinctive ArtsCross model: a compressed creative process that encourages experimentation, collaboration and intercultural dialogue. A group of scholars will accompany the process throughout, observing rehearsals, engaging in discussion with artists and contributing critical reflection alongside the creative development.

For more information about ArtsCross, including past projects, blogs, videos and publications, and to follow the creative process please visit this page.

About ArtsCross

At the heart of ArtsCross is the belief that meaningful international dialogue is built not only through presenting finished performances, but through sustained collaboration and shared creative processes. Artists work under a set of creative 'constraints', including limited rehearsal time, diverse and multilingual ensembles and thematic frameworks, inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s observation that 'the more art is controlled, limited, worked over, the more it is free'.

Founded in 2009 through an innovative collaboration between ResCen Middlesex University and Beijing Dance Academy,ArtsCross has grown into a major international platform for collaborative artistic research and performance. The project's longevity and continued expansion speak to its enduring value as a space for intercultural dialogue, creative experimentation and international partnership. Current partners include Beijing Dance Academy, Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, London Contemporary Dance School at The Place and University of Taipei. Previous ArtsCross projects have taken place in Taipei, Beijing, London and Hong Kong. Alongside performances, the initiative has generated conferences, publications, films and ongoing research exploring translation, intercultural exchange and collaborative creative practice.

In a time of rapid geopolitical and cultural change, ArtsCross continues to examine how artistic collaboration can foster understanding, challenge assumptions and create new forms of exchange across borders.

Out of Place / 舞越異境 / 舞越异境

Friday 10 July
Series of outdoor site-specific performances
Free to attend

12:30-14:00 Regent’s Place

Choreographers:

Cheng Yongping (Beijing)
Yu Pik Yim (Hong Kong)
FUBUNATION (London)
Fangas Nayaw (Taipei)

16:00-17:30 Russell Square

Choreographers:

Ma Nan (Beijing)
Tsang Wing Fai (Hong Kong)
Léa Tirabasso (London)
Wang Ru-ping (Taipei)

ArtsCross Symposium

Saturday 11 July
12 – 6 pm
The Place Theatre

Join us for a series of roundtable discussions bringing together scholars, choreographers and performers from Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and London. The group will share reflections and insights into the ArtsCross London 2026 edition, focusing on outdoor, site-specific work created by diverse, international groups of artists in the London context. Participants will respond to themes and provocations emerging through the rehearsal processes. Taken together, the roundtables will test the theme of ArtsCross 2026.

Open to artists, scholars, students and dance enthusiasts. Free to attend. Refreshments and lunch provided. To reserve a place, please email artscross@theplace.org.uk by 10am, Wednesday 8th July.

Schedule:

12:00-12:30 Arrival and refreshments
12:30-12:45 Welcome
12:45-14:15 Roundtable session 1
14:15-15:15 Lunch
15:15-16:45 Roundtable session 2
16:45-17:00 Closing
17:00-18:00 Networking drinks