Weathering Grounds Residency 2026
Alleyne Dance (UK), Meshground (Sri Lanka), Climarts (UK) and the British Council announce the Weathering Grounds Residency 2026 for those based in Sri Lanka.
A Choreographic Dance / Movement Residency for Climate, Care & Justice
How can movement, dance, and performance embody solutions, resilience, care, and justice in a rapidly changing world?
Weathering Grounds invites choreographers, dancers, movement artists, performance artists, and physical theatre practitioners based in Sri Lanka / Ilankai to participate in a free hybrid choreographic research residency.
This residency places creativity, embodied practice, and community at its core - exploring how artistic movement can respond to, and actively shape, conversations around climate change, care, and justice.
Through physical practice, collaborative research, and creative experimentation, participants will explore how choreography and performance can offer embodied responses and innovative approaches to the urgent environmental and social challenges of our time.
Presented by: MeshGround (Sri Lanka), Alleyne Dance (UK) & ClimArts (UK)
Supported by: British Council
What the Residency Offers
This two-part residency supports deep inquiry and creative experimentation through both online and in-person components:
1. Online Lab (2–3 days)
Jan 9th, 10th & 12th
Tools for creative climate storytelling
Thematic frameworks for exploration
Shared learning and discussion spaces
2. In-Person Intensive & Choreographic R&D (Colombo, 1 week)
Jan 24th – 31st
Physical practices that build embodied resilience
Mentorship and guidance to develop your artistic voice
Space for choreographic research: solo and/or group movement sketches
Who Should Apply
We welcome artists of all stages and ages (18+) working with a wide range of disciplines, movement forms, and performance practices.
We especially encourage applications from artists belonging to historically marginalised or structurally excluded communities, including (but not limited to):
Tamil, Muslim, Indigenous, caste-oppressed communities
Queer, trans, disabled, and rural artists
Artists whose work addresses climate justice, social equity, or post-conflict realities
Applicants must be currently based in Sri Lanka / Ilankai.
Accessibility & Support
Accommodation will be provided for artists travelling from outside Colombo.
We accept video or audio applications to support varied access needs and modes of expression.
Apply Now to Co-create a Just and Regenerative Future
This is a space to ask urgent questions, explore new choreographic languages, and connect with a wider community of artists committed to justice and care.
Let’s move together toward change — through movement.
Deadline to apply: 14th November 2024