IDEA – A Platform for International Contemporary Dance in Amman

IDEA, the International Dance Encounter Amman, is a biannual multidisciplinary dance festival that has quickly become a cornerstone of contemporary dance in Jordan. Based in Amman, IDEA is a platform where international and local dance performances converge, offering a rich program that includes performances, public interventions, master classes, workshops, artist symposiums, and the exchange of ideas.

A Global Celebration of Dance

From August 22 to August 29, 2019, the first edition of IDEA brought together world-class choreographers, performance directors, and dance-makers with Jordanian dance artists for a week-long cultural celebration. The festival showcased nine cutting-edge dance works, featuring 46 artists from 18 different countries. Among these were seven international dance performances and two original local productions, which were produced by Studio 8 in collaboration with installation, sound, and light artists from France, the Czech Republic, and Iran.

A Year-Round Educational Initiative

IDEA extends beyond a mere festival; it is an educational platform committed to building lasting connections between artists and innovators in Jordan and the global arts community. Through year-round learning programs, incubator initiatives, seed funding, direct mentorship, and personalized guidance, IDEA fosters an environment where dancers, choreographers, musicians, and designers can collaborate to produce unique, challenging, and diverse works. The festival’s mission is to support and launch the careers of local dancers and choreographers, enhancing Jordan’s presence on the global dance scene.

Workshops and Symposiums

IDEA 2019 also hosted a variety of learning opportunities, including eight workshops and a three-day symposium. These workshops, led by 17 outstanding international choreographers, performers, and artistic directors, focused on enhancing resources for performing arts. Participants explored techniques such as “Release” and “Alexander,” and engaged in interactive experiences of sound, space, and movement. The symposium provided a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among international and local cultural experts, curators, educators, teachers, performers, and dance-makers. Together, they created an illustrative manual showcasing the dance-making process.

Collaborative Support

The success of IDEA 2019 was made possible through the collaboration of multiple local and international organizations. Studio 8 partnered with MALAHI Entertainment Inc, Al-Shams Theatre, The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Art Hotel, and others, with support from entities such as The Federal Government Commissioner For Culture And The Media, European Union Institutes of Culture – EUNIC, Goethe-Institut Jordanien, and the European Union.

IDEA continues to serve as a beacon for contemporary dance in Jordan, fostering innovation, collaboration, and cultural exchange both locally and globally. Through its commitment to education, artistic production, and international collaboration, IDEA is paving the way for a vibrant and dynamic dance culture in Jordan.