Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of OISTAT, we would like to officially call for proposals to host World Stage Design 2029 (WSD). OISTAT designates the WSD location four years in advance to provide sufficient time for planning and securing resources for the whole WSD project.
World Stage Design (WSD) is an OISTAT event held every 4 years that is comprised of following components that are presented simultaneously:
- Professional & Emerging Designer Exhibition
- Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC)
- Technical Invention Prize (TIP)
- SCENOFEST
- OISTAT World Congress & Commission and Sub-commission meetings
- OISTAT Sponsorship Corner
- WSD Opening and Closing ceremony
The primary goal of World Stage Design is to present an exhibition of designers' work that explores the breadth and diversity of international design practice.
Each WSD has developed a complementary program of activities representative of all OISTAT’s commissions: The Scenofest. In the past, this has included performance programs, symposiums, workshops, and masterclasses. Each WSD organizer is invited to create their own unique Scenofest program to run alongside the exhibition.
WSD, moving forward as a quadrennial project of OISTAT, will connect creators, practitioners, artists, and audiences in an international festival and celebration of performance design, theatre architecture, and technical theatre.
At the World Congress in Sharjah, UAE in 2025, we will give interested contenders the opportunity to present their vision and plans for WSD 2029. After the World Congress, the newly elected Executive Committee will evaluate the proposals and designate the location for WSD 2029 before April 2026. OISTAT Headquarters and the Executive Committee will form an advisory group to facilitate the preparation process of WSD.
Bid guidelines for hosting WSD2029 are detailed as following:
Proposal Submissions
Proposal submissions should be made to the Headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, before March 31, 2025 in PDF format via email to headquarters@oistat.org
Proposal & Presentation
- The submitted proposal should include the following:
• An overall vision for organizing WSD 2029 and how it will be realized in its location.
• An overview of all collaborative partners.
• An outline of timeline from the call for entries to the WSD events through to the final report.
• An outline budget of the event.
- Proponent will be allocated a 10-minute presentation during World Congress in Sharjah, UAE. Presentations that require projection support shall be sent to Headquarters by August 31, 2025.
Obligations of WSD 2029 Host
- The WSD 2029 host will organize a Professional & Emerging Designer Competitive Exhibition that represents the breadth and diversity of international design, celebrating the range of design disciplines, cultures, and practices within OISTAT. The host will ensure selection to the final exhibition will be made by a panel of international curators or jurors. And will ensure entry is open to all individual designers who have created realized performances in the four years prior to WSD.
- The WSD 2029 host will integrate the Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC) and the Technical Invention Prize (TIP) as a part of all WSD promotions, exhibitions, and awards. This should include promotion on WSD’s website.
- The WSD 2029 host will ensure Scenofest includes a diverse program of activity and performance representative of all OISTAT commissions. The OISTAT commissions are expected to work with the host to discern feasibility and type of events. Invited Scenofest keynote speaker(s) will be at the cost of the host including travel costs, accommodation, honoraria, and per diem.
- The WSD 2029 host is responsible for the overall management and budgeting of the Professional & Emerging Stage Design Competitive Exhibition, Scenofest, Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC), and the Technical Invention Prize (TIP). This also includes event documentation, including photo and video of all events and maintaining a sustainable digital gallery of events. The host will plan and execute the opening and closing ceremonies of WSD.
- The WSD 2029 host will include OISTAT’s World Congress in the program and assist OISTAT Headquarters in the planning and execution of the meetings. Part of this organization comprises local transportation and accommodation for all Executive Committee (EC), Governing Board (GB), voting delegates, Presidential Candidates, EC candidates and Headquarters (approximately 70 people). The accommodation provided will, where possible, be free or provide a low-cost option.
- The WSD 2029 host is responsible for the event catalogue, whether in print or digital. The hosts may charge for the catalogue to recuperate costs.
- The WSD 2029 host is responsible for local and international media promotions. OISTAT Headquarters will be available for consultation and assistance as needed.
- The WSD 2029 host will provide OISTAT with a final report for project review and archives.
WSD Best Practice Handbook will be available in October 2024 and will be provided to the potential host upon request to OISTAT Headquarters.
All proposals with contact information should be sent directly to the Headquarter in Taipei, Taiwan. Candidates are encouraged to ask questions about the events, the call and the expectation from OISTAT. Questions should be directed towards OISTAT HQ at headquarters@oistat.org before October 31, 2024. Answers will be sent out before November 30, 2024.
Sincerely,
Wan-Jung Wei
Executive Director
International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians
Organisation Internationale des Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes de Théâtre
Suite L, Center for Innovation Taipei (CIT), No.1, Yumen St. Taipei, 10452, Taiwan
T+886-2-2596-2294
F+886-2-2598-1647
Web: www.oistat.org
