Research X Concordia

Cross-TIC is seeking proposals in this open call around a (collective) VR experience at CROSS-TIC core partner Concordia.

In this open call, Concordia is making its VR equipment available for a maker to research (technical) possibilities around a collective VR experience. A collective VR experience means a VR display that can be experienced by multiple people – max 25 – at the same time. For example, Concordia is thinking of linking individual installations into a collective experience.

From the heart of Enschede, Concordia makes art accessible to all. From two attractive locations, including three movie theaters and an expo, we offer a diverse selection of the best arthouse films, quirky events and visual art by both emerging talent and well-known creators. Since 2024, Concordia is 1 of 8 movie theaters in the Netherlands programming VR films. This happens in two variants:

• A collective VR performance for up to 25 visitors in the movie theater.
• Two interactive, individual VR installations consisting of glasses and controllers.

“What opportunities do you see in VR for creating and living a collective experience?”

Cross-TIC seeks project proposals in all artistic disciplines: film, theater, visual arts, music (and more) from artists and creatives with a link in/to Twente, who want to develop their work and realize a cross-media research project. Cross-TIC seeks proposals that are of good quality artistically, that are explicitly cross-medial, with a focus on Technology, Innovation and Creativity (TIC) and in which research, experimentation and collaboration are central.

The goal is to gain new insights and knowledge about your work and/or technique for living a collective VR experience. You will conclude the research with a public presentation of your findings.

A research plan, with:

• A description of your research and how you plan to conduct the research.
• A description of the expertise you still lack (technical, artistic, conceptual, etc.)
• A description of why you want to conduct this research, what the reason and urgency is for you, and what step you want to take as a maker.
• A description of your link to Twente.

You will also participate in:

• Up to 2 presentations on your project to partners and stakeholders;
• Support in developing your entrepreneurship in the form of participation in Community of Practice sessions (approximately 12 hours). These sessions take place on:
  • Meeting 1: April 9, 2025
  • Meeting 2: May 8, 2025
  • Meeting 3: June 10, 2025

As a maker or maker team in a research project, you get 108 hours to work on your own proposal. As an example, if you work in a team of 2, you divide the 108 hours between you, for example, 54 hours each.

In your proposal, you describe a research project on, or experiment in, cross-media production.

Furthermore, we offer you:

• A place to explore and/or bring your plan to fruition.
• A fee of €40,55 per hour (ex. VAT);
• A small production budget of €500;
• Guidance: a pathway coordinator is involved in your project and links you to relevant research and implementation partners.
• External expertise: there is a budget to call in external expertise (in consultation with the pathway coordinator) in your desired field of expertise
• A new network: as a maker within Cross-TIC, you will become part of a new regional, cross-discipline network of makers and get to know the cultural institutions and partners in Twente.
• Up to 2 presentations on your research to partners and stakeholders;
• Support in developing your entrepreneurship.

After the deadline, all project proposals are discussed by four profile coordinators. The coordinator of the relevant Open Call is ultimately responsible for selecting the project and supervising it. You will receive a response to your proposal no later than 4 weeks after the deadline. Your project can start from week 14.

Cross-TIC was developed by the Cultuurregio Twente: 14 Twente municipalities working together in the field of culture. In consultation with the cultural field, they developed a vision for culture in the region. Based on that vision, Cross-TIC was set up by Bibliotheek Almelo & Theater Hof 88, Werkplaats Diepenheim, Oyfo, PLANETART, Schouwburg Hengelo, Theater Sonnevanck, Stichting Oldenzaalse Musea, Tetem and Concordia (penman).