VOLUNTEERING OFFTA 2025
Each year, the OFFTA, a festival of the performing arts, could not take place without the team of dedicated volunteers who become part of the festival community and contribute to its renewed success.
We are currently looking for volunteers for the 19th edition of the festival, which will be from May 23rd to June 1st 2025. Being a volunteer at the OFFTA is an opportunity to see the shows in the program, to discover the backstage of the festival and to get actively involved in the performing arts local scene by joining a dynamic team.
To join our awesome team of volunteers, simply fill out this online form.
OFFTA 2026 – Call for proposals (CLOSED)
The OFFTA is a festival dedicated to emerging, experimental creation in live arts. Created on the periphery of the Festival TransAmériques (FTA), the OFFTA showcases creators whose unique and engaged approaches lay the grounds for new artistic currents. The OFFTA aims to decategorize contemporary artistic practices and their respective audiences. It presents and produces events that both challenge established norms and question modes of representation, fostering cooperation and coming-together. It enables artists to share performances that shift spectators’ perspectives and open up new artistic spaces. The supported works question, transform and resist preconceptions. OFFTA provides a platform for artists to contribute to the deployment of pluralities and to the renewal of established models.
PRESENTATION AND SUPPORT
In addition to presenting at the festival, LA SERRE offers support to selected artists throughout the year leading up to their presentation at OFFTA 2026. The 20th edition of the festival will take place in summer 2026 (May-June).
The proposed residencies and activities will be held in collaboration with the projects supported through the Radial Residencies program and YOU ARE HERE. In addition to the 7 projects selected from this call, OFFTA 2026 will present projects curated by LA SERRE and its partners.
LA SERRE plans to provide all selected projects with:
- Residencies in the LA SERRE studios, between August 2025 and August 2026. 2 weeks will be offered in the large studio plus a bank of hours in the small studio and year-round access to our co-working spaces and a writing room;
- Dramaturgical support activities. In the form of exchanges, artists will be invited to propose sharings among themselves. These exchanges can take many forms. Project leaders are expected to propose an activity and take part in most of the other artists’ proposals;
- Structural support will be offered to the 7 supported projects. It will provide support with administrative and production-related aspects of the projects. It will take the form of group activities and individual support;
- 2 or 3 presentations at OFFTA 2026. The support will culminate with the programming of the supported projects as part of the festival.
The projects are also considered for all opportunities that arise around LA SERRE, including local and international residency exchanges.
*For the 2026 edition, fees per performance are expected to range from $800 to $1,100.
**This call is specifically for Canadian projects. However, please note that travel and accommodation costs to Mooniyang/Montreal/Tio’tia:ke are not covered by the OFFTA.
Read more about the call
CALL AND PROCESS
The OFFTA call is open to projects expected to be completed by spring 2026. These works will be presented under optimal conditions within the festival.
The project selection process will be carried out by a committee, formed by Claudel Doucet, artistic director of LA SERRE. The committee will give priority to:
- Approaches proposing transformative experiences, marking a significant advancement in the practice of the artists and candidate collaborators;
- Boldness and innovation;
- Interdisciplinary exploration or unique dramaturgical approaches;
- The use of collaborative methodologies and respectful dialogue protocols;
- The match between the resources available at LA SERRE and OFFTA and the needs of the project;
- The interest and availability of artists to get involved in the dramaturgical and structural development activities offered by LA SERRE;
- The relevance and commitment of artistic practices within communities or in resonance with contemporary realities;
- Diversity in artistic forms, realities, and cultures represented.
OFFTA expresses its commitment to historically underrepresented voices and marginalized identities. We are determined to promote an inclusive selection process. If you encounter accessibility obstacles when submitting your application, do not hesitate to seek assistance from LA SERRE, which will be available to support you.
We invite proposals of diverse forms: unconventional projects that defy norms, Premieres, remounts, indoor or outdoor site-specific performances, remote or online performances, conferences, and more. In addition to projects from this call, OFFTA 2026 will feature projects curated by LA SERRE and its partners.
Deadline for proposal submissions: May 4th, 2025, 11:59 PM
For questions; contact epatenaude@laserre.ca
Decision will be communicated during the 2025 summer
OFFTA 2026 – Call for proposals
Proposal submission deadline: May 4th, 2025, 11:59PM
Radial Residencies 25.26 – Annual Call (CLOSED)
LA SERRE launches its annual call for resident projects for the 25-26 season.
Intended for emerging local artists, residencies are one of the organization’s main support. For an entire year, 7 artists or collectives will benefit from multifaceted support, rooted in a supportive research and creation space that favors experimentation, free from any expectation of production.
LA SERRE offers a wide range of resources to the artists it assists, and creates links between the projects supported in residencies and those presented at OFFTA and VOUS ÊTES ICI.
The 25-26 cohort of the Radial Residencies program will benefit from:
- A residency in the LA SERRE studios, between August 2025 and August 2026: 2 weeks in the big studio plus a bank of hours in the small studio and year-round access to our co-working spaces and a writing room.
- A series of dramaturgical activities.Through exchanges, artists will be invited to propose Sharings among themselves. These exchanges can take many forms. Project leaders are expected to propose an activity and participate in most of the other artists’ proposals.
- Structural support. LA SERRE will provide help with administrative and production-related aspects of the projects. It will take the form of group activities and individual support.
- Supported artists are also given priority consideration for any opportunities that emerge around LA SERRE, including local and international residency exchanges.
Read more about the call
CALL & PROCESS
The selection process will be carried out by a committee, gathered by Claudel Doucet, artistic director of LA SERRE. The committee will give priority to:
- Approaches proposing transformative experiences, marking a significant advance in the practice of the artists and collaborators nominated;
- Boldness and innovation;
- Interdisciplinary exploration or the singularity of its approaches;
- Use of collaborative methodologies and respectful dialogue protocols;
- The match between the resources available at LA SERRE and the needs of the project;
- The interest and availability of artists to get involved in the dramaturgical and structural development activities offered by LA SERRE;
- The relevance and commitment of artistic practices within communities or in resonance with contemporary realities;
- A diversity of artistic forms, realities and cultures represented.
LA SERRE expresses its commitment to historically under-represented voices and marginalized identities. We are committed to an inclusive process. If you encounter accessibility obstacles when submitting your application, do not hesitate to seek assistance from LA SERRE, which will be available to support you.
Deadline for proposal submissions: May 4th, 2025, 11:59 PM
For questions; contact epatenaude@laserre.ca
Decision will be communicated during the 2025 summer
Radial Residencies 25.26 – Call for proposals
Proposal submission deadline: May 4th, 2025, 23:59 PM
YOU ARE HERE 2025 – Call for proposals
In collaboration with Théâtre Aux Écuries, VOUS ÊTES ICI / YOU ARE HERE offers an intensive and interdisciplinary creative residency to recent graduates from various performing arts programs in the metropolitan area. This initiative brings together Francophone and Anglophone creators in dance, theater, performance, and circus, fostering exchange and artistic exploration. It provides an opportunity for these young artists to experiment and deepen their practice through the realization of an artistic project, culminating in its presentation. VEI /YAH serves as both a meeting space and a showcase for emerging artistic voices.
Course of action
An initiative de LA SERRE – arts vivants, VEI / YAH takes over Théâtre aux Écuries spaces for a week of intensive creation dedicated to exploration, reflection, and the sharing of artistic projects. The 11th edition will take place from December 7 to 14, 2025. LA SERRE’s team guides 8 participating teams throughout the week, culminating in three evenings of performances between December 12 to 14. Spectators are invited to wander and discover 10-minutes short forms. Feedback sessions are organized to allow artistic teams to gather constructive feedback for the continuation of their processes. A mandatory preparatory day will take place on October 20, 2025. Selected projects also have access to collaborative sessions in LA SERRE studios as well as structural and dramaturgical development activities.
In a spirit of openness, although the call primarily targets graduates from the spring 2025 cohort, the invitation is extended to early-career artists whose paths may not have been academic.
Subscription Procedure and Eligibility Criteria
Through the call’s application form, candidates share their artistic approach and residency project (max 500 words). The selection committee is composed by the artistic team of LA SERRE – arts vivants and former participants of VEI / YAH. The committee will choose projects based on their artistic quality and feasibility, aiming to present a variety of artistic disciplines and ensure equity in representation (physical, cultural and gender diversity, etc.)
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduated from a recent art school in the metropolitan area or have an equivalent alternative background
- Fully available from December 7 to 14 + 1 preparatory day (October 20, 2025)
- Complete the online form before June 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM
Proposal submission deadline: June 5, 2025, 11:59 PM
PAMSKODATEGW 2025-2026 – Call for proposals (CLOSED)
Project description
This project offers a 12-month accompaniment for an indigenous artist in living arts, offering a braid of support: studio residencies, a creation grant, structural accompaniment and dramaturgical support. In addition, to broaden the scope of their voice and establish meaningful dialogues, the artist will attend and actively participate in the next two editions of OFFTA and FTA, including curating the 2026 edition of OFFTA. The artist or collective selected following this call for proposals will also be placed in dialogue with performer, choreographer and independent curator Ivanie Aubin-Malo for a one-week residency outside Montreal.
PAMSKODATEGW, it’s :
- A $4,000 creation GRANT, as well as various fees related to the residencies, and contribution for the OFFTA 2026 festival;
- Access to SPACES at LA SERRE, including a two-week residency in a large studio and a 400-hour residency in a small studio. You’ll also have ongoing access to a writing room, as well as our co-working spaces;
- Personalized structural and dramaturgical SUPPORT with LA SERRE and a mentorship with an artist of your choice. LA SERRE also invite you to participate in all the dramaturgical activities of the Résidences Radiales program’s cohort of resident artists, and in our thematic co-working days;
- A one-week RESIDENCY outside Montreal, guided by performer, choreographer and independent curator Ivanie Aubin-Malo ;
- NETWORKING opportunities as part of the 2025 and 2026 editions of the OFFTA and FTA festivals. The artist or collective will have free access to all OFFTA performances and activities, as well as to some shows and events of the FTA festival for the next two years;
- A COMMISSARIAT experience for the 2026 edition of the OFFTA festival. The artist or collective could, for example, take part in the programming committee, recommend satellite projects and activities, lead a conversation or collaborate on editorial reflection. Their precise role will be defined in the light of their practice and interests;
- A SHARING that could take the form of a public performance during the season or a presentation/activity as part of the OFFTA 2026 festival.
Read more about the call
Call process
Projects will be selected by a committee of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, thinkers and activists, convened by Claudel Doucet, Artistic Director of LA SERRE. They will give priority to projects that focus on :
- The match between the resources offered and the needs of the project, in particular the interest and availability of the artist or collective to become involved in dramaturgical activities, to take advantage of structural development activities and to benefit from offered residency opportunities ;
- A process offering transformative experiences, marking a significant advance in the practice of the artist or collective and its collaborators;
- Interdisciplinary exploration or singular approaches to writing;
- Use of collaborative methodologies and respectful dialogue protocols;
- Relevance and engagement of artistic practices within communities or with contemporary realities.
Projects can be submitted in various forms (written, voice recording or video). See the form provided.
Deadline for submissions: March 21st, 2025, 12:00 p.m
The decision will be announced at the beginning of April 2025.
If you have any questions about the project or the call, please send an e-mail to developpement@laserre.ca.
This program is made possible with the support of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
Proposal submission deadline: March 21st 2025, 12:00 pm
