interplay_2027 x Matriarchs Uprising Festival are co-commissioning one Yukon-based Indigenous artist to develop a live online performance for interplay_2027, with additional mentorship and technology support.
The selected artist will be part of the interplay_2027 live online program, with a recording of their performance also featured in a special live cinema program co-presented by interplay_2027 and Matriarchs Uprising, as well as through Matriarch's Indigi-Dance on Screen on-demand programming.
This open call prioritizes:
Application Deadline: Oct 30, 2026, 11:59pm PT
Live Online Presentation: interplay_2027 takes place online Feb 10-12, 2027. The selected co-commissioned artist is expected to be programmed on Feb 10 or 11.
Live Cinema Presentation: A recording of the artist’s interplay_2027 live online performance will also be presented on Feb 13, 2027 as part of the special live cinema program co-presented with Matriarchs Uprising. PLEASE NOTE the original audio from the live online performance will not be featured in this presentation but instead this screening will be accompanied by live musicians.
On-Demand Viewing after the live presentations: The recording of the live online presentation will be hosted online for free, on-demand viewing through Matriarchs Uprising's website from Feb 13-20, 2027. PLEASE NOTE this will include the original audio.
Performance Format: Shared-bill, live-streamed performance (15–20 min in length), either on Zoom or another online platform proposed by the artist. Projects may include a combination of live and pre-recorded elements, but must focus on the live components to be considered.
This opportunity is specifically for a Yukon-based Indigenous female artist.
Artists may be working in dance, theatre, sound/music, new media, interdisciplinary practice, or other forms of live performance. Artists do not need to be experienced digital artists; this opportunity includes mentorship and technology support to help develop the live online component.
Live online performance refers to artistic works that are intentionally created or adapted for real-time presentation in digital spaces. These works exist at the intersection of performance, technology, virtual presence and are grounded in liveness: the ephemeral, co-present exchange between artist(s) and audience through an online medium.
The intention is not to require the artist to create a separate film work. The live online performance developed for interplay_2027 will be documented, and a recording will be incorporated into the special live cinema presentation.
Additionally, selected artists will be required to document their use of technology for Chimerik’s Virtual Live Art database. This includes sharing a technical pipeline breakdown, a 5-minute edited highlight video and responding to key questions about the development process. Please use this as a reference for what we expect.
Complete the form below:
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a brief conversation before final selections are made.
Selections will be based on: artistic and technical innovation; quality of support material; uniqueness and originality; diverse perspectives; potential for the work to meaningfully engage with live online performance
Artists who do not meet the eligibility for this Yukon-specific co-commission are encouraged to consider the standard interplay_2027 Open Call > Live Online Performance, which is open to artists based in so-called Canada and internationally. See Open Call 1 for full information.
This co-commission is co-presented by interplay_2027 x Matriarchs Uprising Festival. interplay_2027 is produced by Chimerik 似不像 with presenting partner New Works XR and festival partner Matriarchs Uprising Festival. The festival's made possible by the support of Canada Council for the Arts and City of Vancouver.
Reach out to interplay.live.arts@gmail.com