Dance Studies at UM

May Showcase 2026

We welcome you to the UM Dance Studies Department performances. This showcase features 5 different modules of all students and the capstone final choreography project of our third year student Lea Bitri. This includes two different shows from our first-year dance students composition works, second-year compositions and interactive installation, and third year students Final Choreography and Synoptics Individual Dance Project. The creation and performance process serves both as an experience of professional life for our students and as a showcase of their work throughout their three years at university. Their performances are part of their course assessments.

Free Event. Booking Essential via QR code or by the link: https://my.weezevent.com/jumping-into-spring-may-showcase

Call for Choreographers!

The Dance Studies Department of the University of Malta invites expressions of interest from Malta-based dance artists to choreograph a 15-20 minutes group dance piece (6 dancers) for Dance Tour 2026/2027.

Every year, our third-year students take part in a dance tour experience, a study unit in which they work with different international choreographers, and perform their works in Malta and abroad. In the previous years, we have invited choreographers/dance companies from different countries in order to give our students an immersive experience to new choreographic practices, as well as to expand their horizons as they prepare to join the dance industry. The theme for the choreography is open, thus applicants can propose a theme or methodology. The required creation period involves 2 intensive weeks of 4 hours rehearsals each day. It is paramount that applicants are available to commit to all of the times and dates.

Remuneration for this commission is 1000 euros including VAT.

For applying, artists need to send a letter expressing their interest in this opportunity, attaching a CV with links to previous works, and a short project proposal (300-500 words max). In the letter, you can tell us about your artistic practice, including references to your choreographic approach. It would be also useful to know about previous projects and themes that interest you.
The project proposal should include:
* Description of the applicant’s choreographic approach.
* A brief explanation of the theme or creative ideas.
Applications need to be sent by email by June 12, 2026 to [email protected]

Our Guest Lecturer next week!

Performing Arts Encounter for Guest Lecturer Dr. Funmi Adewole Elliott

Thursday, May 7, 2026
18:00 - 19:30
CHBO Room 316

Title: Ṣere Kinaesthetic: Investigating Performance through Play

Dr. Funmi Adewole Elliott is a UK-based performer, dramaturge and researcher whose career spans media, performance, dance development and academia. With an MA in Postcolonial Studies, a Professional Certificate in Education, and a PhD in Dance Studies, she brings an interdisciplinary depth to her creative and scholarly work. ‘Funmi began her career in media before transitioning into performance upon relocating to Britain from Nigeria in 1994. For about a decade, she toured with African dance-drama and physical theatre companies, including Ritual Arts, Banner Theatre, Horse and Bamboo (mask and puppetry), and the Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble. In recognition to her advocacy for the Dance of the African Diaspora in the UK within professional practice she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 by One Dance UK. She has taught for extensively in Further and Higher educations and teaches dance, performance and dramaturgy labs internationally based on her research-informed creative practice Ṣere Kinaesthetic. She is an honorary fellow of the Centre of Dance Research, Coventry University, England.

CALL FOR UM DANCE GRADUATES
From Dance Practice to International Presence:

A cross-cultural exchange for Ethiopian and Maltese dance practitioners

The Dance Studies Department is excited to announce a unique opportunity for UM recent dance graduates and alumni to take part in an international skill-sharing exchange with Ethiopian dance artists.

This programme offers a dynamic combination of online engagement and in-person activities in Ethiopia, creating a space for artistic exchange, collaboration, and cultural dialogue.

We invite applications from both recent graduates and alumni who are emerging artists actively working in Malta’s cultural sector, and who are interested in expanding their practice within an international and cross-cultural context.

All travel and accommodation expenses for selected participants will be covered through the Cultural Diplomacy Fund of the Government of Malta.

Application Deadline: 10th of May, 2026 to to [email protected].

The three-day in-person training in Ethiopia will take place, including:

Movement Research Laboratories for embodied exploration of practice- sharing.

Screendance Laboratory for documenting and disseminating dance heritage through digital tools.

Skill-Sharing Exchanges between Ethiopian dancers and Maltese graduates. This intensive programme will provide dancers with hands-on experience in articulating and presenting their artistic practices, while fostering international peer learning.

Site-visits to Dance Schools and Educational Institutions to exchange and create the foundations for more long-term and sustainable collaboration.

Dance artists interested in participating are invited to submit their application no later than Sunday 10 May to [email protected]. Here is more information on the application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1023EaxmaCes85nXMbB5sUoWY-3Y5x7Wi/view?usp=sharing

Any enquiries prior to submission can also be sent to the same email address. Selected applicants will be notified by Wednesday 13 May.

An online information session will take place on Friday 15 May (TBD).

Wrap up at MICAS!

Day 3 at SPA Conference!

Day 2 at SPA Conference!

Come join us as we discuss the future of AI and the performing arts! @ School of Performing Arts - University of Malta

🚨 REGISTRATION OPEN! 🚨

Join the School of Performing Arts in collaboration with the Department of AI for our 12th Annual Conference in Malta! 🇲🇹

Let's discuss the future of performance and AI 🎭🤖

🐦 Early Bird Rate ends: Jan 30, 2026 📅
Late Registration closes: Mar 20, 2026

Register via QR code, link in bio, or link below! 👇

https://www.um.edu.mt/events/spa2026/registration/