Review of the first part of the 2026 first semester of the Small School of Contemporary Dance
The first semester of the sixth edition of the Small School of Contemporary Dance was marked by encounters, exchange of knowledge, and diverse approaches to exploring the body and movement through contemporary dance practices. The program, produced by the dance association Tiramola, which continuously develops a space accessible to a wider community, once again brought together participants of different generations and levels of experience this year, reaffirming the importance of open formats of learning and artistic participation.
The program began in March with the workshop Control of Intention, led by Maša Kolar, through which participants explored the relationships between intention, presence, and movement quality.
Over the course of three sessions held at the Sports Center Pomak and the Youth Center, a space was opened for individual work, bodily awareness, and collective reflection on dance practice.
In April, the workshop TANsion followed, led by dance artist Silvija Musić, which, through the exploration of tension, resistance, and movement dynamics, offered participants a different entry point into physical experience and an understanding of the body as a space of expression.
The performance segment of the program featured the piece Migration of Air by authors Margareta Firinger and Jovana Zelenović, presented at the Kaštel Lukšić Cultural Center. The guest performance created an opportunity for audiences to encounter contemporary dance outside the city of Split, further connecting the educational and performative aspects of the program.
The current part of the program was rounded off by the workshop Movement and Camera, led by Martina Nevistić, which introduced participants to the relationship between the body, movement, and the film medium, and raised questions about how dance exists and transforms within the frame.
The program was further expanded with screenings of the dance films Pulsar, Deep Neon: In Between, and The Girl from Tomorrow, opening an additional space for discussion on contemporary performative and audiovisual practices.
The performances Don’t Carry the World Upon Your Shoulders by Martina Tomić and Dance Democracy have been postponed to autumn due to issues with venue availability and the performers’ fully booked schedules.
However, the first semester of the Small School of Contemporary Dance has not yet concluded. New encounters and continued exploration through both the performative and educational program still lie ahead.
Upcoming activities include a guest performance of On (Th(e)) Line by the professional dance ensemble Kelkope, the workshop Dance Fusion led by Tamara Savičević, as well as a guest appearance by the artistic organization Škvadra with the performance Pogo Dolls and the workshop Škvart Specific.
The upcoming program also brings a new collaboration between the Small School of Contemporary Dance and the Platformat Festival, once again creating a space for encounters between education, performance, and contemporary artistic practices.
This cooperation continues to build a dialogue between artists, participants, and audiences, reaffirming the importance of open and accessible cultural programs within the local community.
Through workshops, performances, and collaborative work, the Small School of Contemporary Dance continues to build a space in which contemporary dance becomes accessible, open, and inclusive—a meeting place for artists, audiences, and anyone interested in exploring movement, regardless of prior experience. The program remains open to all participants aged 16 and above, with free participation and voluntary donations, continuing to develop dance audiences and contribute to Split’s independent cultural scene.
The program is organized by the dance association Tiramola in partnership with the Multimedia Cultural Center, and with the support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development, the Kultura Nova Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Split, and Split-Dalmatia County.
