About
Šiuolaikinio šokio asociacija, kurią 2007 m. įkūrė dvidešimt penki Lietuvos šiuolaikinio šokio choreografai ir šokėjai, turintys meno kūrėjo statusą, siekia:
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atstovauti šiuolaikinio šokio bendruomenės narių interesams formuojant Lietuvos kultūros politiką ir sprendžiant Lietuvos šiuolaikinio šokio kūrėjų kasdienio darbo sąlygų tobulinimo ir kūrybos pristatymo galimybių plėtojimo klausimus;
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savo veikla formuoti visuomenės poreikį profesionaliems šiuolaikinio šokio meno produktams, ugdyti publiką, jos skonį bei nuostatas šokio kultūros vertybėms;
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tarpininkauti vertybiniams mainams tarp šiuolaikinio šokio kūrėjų ir vartotojų, šiuolaikinio šokio meno produktų ir pirkėjų (miestų ir apskričių savivaldybių, teatrų, mokyklų, organizacijų, mecenatų, visuomenės);
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skatinti Lietuvos šiuolaikinio šokio bendruomenės narių kūrybinę veiklą;
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skleisti informaciją apie Lietuvos šiuolaikinį šokį Lietuvoje ir užsienyje;
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atstovauti Lietuvos šiuolaikiniam šokiui tarptautinėse organizacijose ir dalyvauti jų veikloje.
Currently, the association has 79 members . The board of the Contemporary Dance Association consists of the association's chairwoman and 4 members. In 2024, choreographer, founder and artistic director of the Šeiko Dance Theater Agnija Šeiko was elected chairwoman , and the following members were appointed:
Andrius Katinas - dance artist, head of the dance department of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre,
Agnietė Lisičkinaitė - dancer, choreographer, teacher, member of the creative duo "Be Kompanijos",
Laurynas Žakevičius - choreographer, dancer, teacher, director of the "LOW AIR" Vilnius City Dance Theater,
Dovydas Strimaitis - choreographer, dancer.
About
After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, contemporary dance became one of the symbols of a new, free and open culture. Intensive growth of this art form began – the Lithuanian Contemporary Dance Centre was established according to the Western model, and the first contemporary dance festivals were initiated: “Aura” and “New Baltic Dance”. More and more artists undertook contemporary dance studies and master classes abroad, and a contemporary dance study programme was launched at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. In 2007, the young generation of dancers, choreographers and teachers, aiming to unite the community and strengthen the position of contemporary dance in Lithuania, founded the Contemporary Dance Association. The first chairwoman was elected choreographer and founder of the “Dansema” theatre Birutė Banevičiūtė, who initiated a significant process with like-minded people – the recognition of professional dance artists as creators of art. This step laid the foundation for a new, strong contemporary dance organisation and strengthened the visibility of the entire community in society.
History
Lina Puodžiukaitė-Lanauskienė, who later took over the helm of the association, not only continued to strengthen the organization, but also initiated important educational changes - during her leadership, a modern dance department was established at the MK Čiurlionis Arts Gymnasium. This is a significant step that created conditions for young people in Lithuania to receive professional education in the field of modern dance.
At the same time, on the initiative of Puodžiukaitė-Lanauskienė, together with choreographer Agnija Šeiko and producer Audronis Imbras, a program of regional visits was launched, during which the specifics and potential of contemporary dance were presented to cultural institutions of various Lithuanian municipalities. This dialogue became the beginning of a regional residency program that has been successfully operating to this day.
Since 2020, the association has been led by Agnietė Lisičkinaitė, a choreographer and dancer whose leadership began during the global pandemic. During this period of crisis, the dance community has mobilized and found innovative solutions – for example, the virtual project “Dance Breakfast”, during which the daily audience reached as many as 100,000 people. This has become clear evidence that contemporary dance is a vital part of culture, having a strong impact on society.
During this period, the educational program "Observations" was also launched, with the aim of developing critical thinking and sensitivity to culture. Young viewers attended performances throughout the year, participated in reflections, and created a new, thoughtful audience for contemporary art.
Since 2020, the association has been led by Agnietė Lisičkinaitė, a choreographer and dancer whose leadership began during the global pandemic. During this period of crisis, the dance community has mobilized and found innovative solutions – for example, the virtual project “Dance Breakfast”, during which the daily audience reached as many as 100,000 people. This has become clear evidence that contemporary dance is a vital part of culture, having a strong impact on society.
During this period, the educational program "Observations" was also launched, with the aim of developing critical thinking and sensitivity to culture. Young viewers attended performances throughout the year, participated in reflections, and created a new, thoughtful audience for contemporary art.
History
History
Since April 2024, the Contemporary Dance Association has been led by choreographer and artistic director of the Šeiko Dance Theatre Agnija Šeiko. The new chairperson continues the organization's most important activities, while simultaneously forming a clear strategic vision that encompasses several essential goals: strengthening community spirit, promoting openness and active engagement of members, and ensuring the representation of the dance field in the national and international cultural context.
Together with the association council, it is planned to strengthen the organization's positions on several levels - national, international and internal. One of the most important next steps is to develop a national residency program in cooperation with regional cultural centers. This model would help address the challenges of contemporary dance infrastructure, dissemination and long-term sustainability and could become the basis for a state program for the dissemination of performing arts, reducing cultural divides in the regions of Lithuania.
In addition, great attention will be paid to the formation of the entire dance ecosystem and dance policy - currently, Lithuania still does not have a dance strategy and a separate state institution dedicated to this art form, so as the dance field grows and matures, this becomes an urgent necessity. The Contemporary Dance Association and its members are actively operating in an international context, and one of the most important platforms to ensure this visibility is the Baltic Dance Platform, which presents the most prominent dance creators in the region.
Today, the Contemporary Dance Association is a strong community that unites professional creators throughout Lithuania, actively participating in both educational and artistic processes, fostering the culture of contemporary dance and inviting the public to learn, create and grow together with contemporary dance.
About
We are always looking for new applications to join the Contemporary Dance Association. We invite you to become a part of our community and together foster the art of contemporary dance. In order to become a member of the Contemporary Dance Association, you must submit all the necessary documents along with your application by e-mail to info@lcda.lt.
Documents:
At least three texts by professional performing arts critics about works or performances in which the candidate has participated. It is important that the texts mention the candidate's name and surname. If the texts are in a foreign language, it is necessary to add a translation (not necessarily professional) and a link to the original text.
A letter of recommendation from a member of the Association. The list of members is available on the Association's website .
A motivation letter in which the candidate states in free form the reasons why he/she wants to become a member and describes his/her potential contribution to the activities of the Association.
CV or creative biography in Lithuanian.
Copy of passport.
Information from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania on granting the status of an artist
About
The Contemporary Dance Association was created to unite contemporary dance creators and performers, represent their interests, and help young creators integrate into the Lithuanian and global dance market. Since the establishment of the Association, every year, the Contemporary Dance Association submits a project to the Culture Council to promote the improvement of the professional skills of the Association members.
regular contemporary dance lessons for professionals in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda.
regular open-level and senior dance lessons in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda. Updating the website of the Contemporary Dance Association and disseminating information about the works of artists;
organizing a competition for the most memorable contemporary dance creator, performer and phenomenon and presenting the Association's awards on the occasion of International Dance Day;
Representation of Lithuanian contemporary dance in the KEDJA network (since 2015).
dissemination of the educational program "What is Contemporary Dance", intended for students in grades 1-4 and grades 9-12, in Lithuanian schools;
educational artistic awareness and discussion competence activity for students #OBSERVATIONS.
residences in Lithuanian regions;
residencies, member internships, delegation to participate in seminars, dance schools, and various institutional programs in foreign countries;
networking and representation of members in various cultural policy field discussions, events organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Culture Council, in the Performing Arts community and in public discourse. The permanent activities of the association aim to represent the interests of members of the contemporary dance community in shaping Lithuanian cultural policy and in resolving issues of improving the daily working conditions of Lithuanian contemporary dance creators and developing opportunities for presenting their work; to form the public's need for professional contemporary dance art products, to educate the audience, its taste and attitudes towards dance cultural values. Also, to mediate value exchanges between contemporary dance creators and consumers, contemporary dance art products and buyers (city and county municipalities, theaters, schools, organizations, patrons, the public);
delegation of association members to various working groups and commissions;
submitting candidacies for various prizes, awards and honorary distinctions;
dissemination and publicity of all information related to the art of contemporary dance through the association's internal channels and in the wider discourse.
regular contemporary dance lessons for professionals in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda.
regular open-level and senior dance lessons in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda. Updating the website of the Contemporary Dance Association and disseminating information about the works of artists;
organizing a competition for the most memorable contemporary dance creator, performer and phenomenon and presenting the Association's awards on the occasion of International Dance Day;
Representation of Lithuanian contemporary dance in the KEDJA network (since 2015).
dissemination of the educational program "What is Contemporary Dance", intended for students in grades 1-4 and grades 9-12, in Lithuanian schools;
educational artistic awareness and discussion competence activity for students #OBSERVATIONS.
residences in Lithuanian regions;
residencies, member internships, delegation to participate in seminars, dance schools, and various institutional programs in foreign countries;
networking and representation of members in various cultural policy field discussions, events organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Culture Council, in the Performing Arts community and in public discourse. The permanent activities of the association aim to represent the interests of members of the contemporary dance community in shaping Lithuanian cultural policy and in resolving issues of improving the daily working conditions of Lithuanian contemporary dance creators and developing opportunities for presenting their work; to form the public's need for professional contemporary dance art products, to educate the audience, its taste and attitudes towards dance cultural values. Also, to mediate value exchanges between contemporary dance creators and consumers, contemporary dance art products and buyers (city and county municipalities, theaters, schools, organizations, patrons, the public);
delegation of association members to various working groups and commissions;
submitting candidacies for various prizes, awards and honorary distinctions;
dissemination and publicity of all information related to the art of contemporary dance through the association's internal channels and in the wider discourse.