FAÍCC

In 2024, the 12th consecutive edition of the FAÍCC program took place, in a total of 25 weeks spread over 6 months (625 hours). Maintaining its usual modular structure, as well as inviting different trainers from different areas of creation, numerous partnerships with different cultural structures were established for this edition, including: The GDA Foundation granted scholarships to students; the Teatro Municipal do Porto made discounts on its shows and hosted the final presentation – Mostra de Jovens Criadores – at Teatro Campo Alegre; the Percursos Pela Arquitetura project was in partnership with FAUP; the Serralves Foundation included students in the play it produced with the group Cobra Coral.

Training hours: 625 hours
Students: 18 students (7 Portuguese and 11 foreigners)

Internships and professional opportunities: 23

Trainers:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Artistic Direction / Cultural production and Journeys through Architecture [FAUP]
Angela D. Quintela (ESP)- Contemporary Dance
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Cristiana Rocha (PT) – Somatic Practices
Cobra Coral (PT) – Creative Process at the Serralves Foundation
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary Dance and Choreographic Composition / Coaching
Diogo Oliveira (PT) – Contemporary Dance
Elisabeth Lambeck (NL) – Contemporary Dance and Choreographic Composition / Coaching
Helder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic Composition
João Fontes (PT) – Technical direction and Lighting
Joclécio Azevedo (PT) – Choreographic Composition / Coaching
Luís Mestre (PT) – Creation of Synopses and CV / Coaching
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary Dance
Luíz Antunes (PT) – Dramaturgy
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Manuel Ronda (ITL) – Choreographic Composition
Mário Fonseca (PT) – Showreel Creation
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy / Coaching
Raúl Maia (PT) – Improvisation / Coaching
Rebecca Lang (SE) – Contemporary Dance
Sérgio Martins (PT) – Sound
Pedro Branco (PT) – Dance Video
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic Composition

Collaborations with other institutions:
Porto Municipal Theater
Serralves Foundation, Serralves Anniversary Context (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto

In 2023, the total course hours increased significantly, to 625 hours, spread over 6 months. Partnerships were promoted with various cultural structures: The F. GDA awarded scholarships to students. The TMP offered discounts on its shows and hosted the final presentation, the “Mostra de Jovens Criadores” at TCA; “Percursos Pela Arquitetura” featured partnerships such as FAUP and Open House Porto; F. Serralves integrated students into the play he produced with guest choreographer Marcelo Evelin. This year there was a second invitation, this one from Instabilidade, to the choreographer, Alessandro Carboni, who also developed a creation with the class.

Course hours: 625 hours
Students 19 students (11 Portuguese and 8 foreign)

Internships and professional opportunities: 22

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Direção Artística / Produção cultural e Percursos pela Arquitetura [FAUP]
Angela D. Quintela (ESP)- Contemporary Dance
Mickaela Dantas (BRS) – Contemporary Dance
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary Dance
Catarina Feijão (PT) – Contemporary Dance
Diogo Oliveira (PT) – Contemporary Dance
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary Dance and choreographic composition / Coaching
João Fontes (PT) – Technical direction and light
Marcelo Evelin (BRS) – Creative process at Serralves Foundation
Alessandro Carboni (ITL) – Creative process at Serralves Foundation
Helder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic composition
Joclécio Azevedo (PT) – Choreographic composition / Coaching
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic composition / Coaching
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coaching
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy / Coaching
Sara Yasmin (PT) – Creative voice
Raúl Maia (PT) – Improvisation / Coaching
Milan Tomasik (SLO) – Choreographic composition
Pedro Branco (PT) – Vídeo Dance
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic composition

Colaborations with other institutions:
Teatro Municipal do Porto
Serralves Foundation, on the occasion of its aniversary (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of University of Porto
Casa da Arquitetura/ Open House Porto

In 2022, the 10th consecutive edition of the FAÍCC program took place: a total of 21 weeks in 5 months (525 hours). Maintaining its usual modular structure, as well as inviting different trainers from different areas of creation, numerous partnerships for public presentation projects were established for this edition.
As in the previous year, the program was readjusted so that it was possible to introduce online modules in this course – for 3 weeks classes took place online on the Zoom platform, with theoretical modules.

Course hours: 525 hours
Students 21 students (7 Portuguese and 14 foreign)

Internships and professional opportunities: 21

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Artistic Director / Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Ángela Diaz Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Feijão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Sharing (online)
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Elisa Zuppini (IT) – Choreographic Composition and Sharing (online)
Gustavo Ciríaco (BR) – Choreographic Composition
Hélder Seabra (PT) – Testemunho (online)
Henrique Pina (PT) – Testemunho (online)
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Creation
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgia e Coach
Paulina Almeida (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Raul Maia (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Roberto Olivan (ES) – Choreographic Composition
Tânia Guerreiro (PT) – Production (online)
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Contemporary dance and Sharing (online)

Colaborations with other institutions:
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
Casa da Arquictura / Open House Porto

The 9th edition of FAÍCC took place in the year of 2021, being slightly affected by the governments restrictions due to the pandemic situation. In this sense, the online format was one of the innovations of the course, not only as a resource for exposure, process of selection, but also within the program, by creating some online modules – this allowed to reduce and delay the on-the-spot attendancy period. Nevertheless, the course happened in its totality.

Course hours: 550 hours
Students: 13 students (7 Portuguese and 6 foreign)

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production (online) / Coach
Angela D. Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Feijão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina Planas Leitão (PT) – Sharing (online) / Flying low+Passing Through
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance / Coach
Diogo Barbedo (PT) – Technical Direction and Lights
Elisa Zuppini (GR) – Sharing (online) / Contemporary dance
Francesco Scavetta (IT) – Release Technique
Gustavo Ciríaco (BR) – Creative Process at Serralves Foundation
Helder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic Composition
João Cardoso (PT) – Contemporary dance
Joclécio Azevedo (PT) – Choreographic Composition / Coach
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach (online)
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Marco da Silva Ferreira (PT) – Contemporary dance
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy (online)
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Raúl Maia (PT) – Improvisation
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video (online)
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Sharing (online) / and Outside Spaces
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic Composition

Colaborations with other institutions:
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto

2020 was an atypical year, given the pandemic situation, which shortened the 8th edition of FAÍCC. The program started in January and was terminated in March, although it was supposed to finish only in July. Some modules and collaborations with other cultural entities were suspended, specifically the projects planned together with Casa da Arquitetura, through the Open House Porto event; Serralves Foundation, for the event “Serralves em Festa”; and with the Arts School from Católica University.

Course hours: 650 hours (planed)
Students: 15 students (11 Portuguese and 4 foreign)

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Artistic Director / Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Ángela Diaz Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance and coach
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Duarte Valadares (PT) – Contemporary dance
Elisa Zuppini (IT) – Choreographic Composition
Hélder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joana Castro (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Deville (PT) – Contemporary dance
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Paula Moreno (PT) – Contemporary dance
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Coach

Colaborations with other institutions:
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto

In the year of 2019, the total of hours of the course and number of students was expanded, in comparison with 2018. Internships and professional opportunities were also a constant, gathering a total of 29, from which 5 were paid opportunities. In this year’s internships, we also counted with the presence of 13 ex-students, who were integrated in various projects.

Course hours: 650 hours
Students: 21 students (12 Portuguese and 9 foreign)
Internships and professional opportunities: 29 interships (5 paid; 13 (ex-)students were integrated)

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Bruno Listopad (PT/NL) – Choreographic Composition
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Cátia Esteves (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Elisabeth Lambeck (NL/PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Joana Castro (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary dance
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Deville (PT) – Contemporary dance
Mafalda Mendonça (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Renan Martins (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Raúl Maia Alves (PT) – Improvisation
Sara Garcia (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Coach
Yannis Adoniou (GR) – Choreographic Composition

Colaborations with other institutions:
Casa da Arquitetura (Matosinhos)
Cineteatro Alba (Albergaria-a-Velha)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Ginasiano – Escola de Dança (Vila-Nova de Gaia)
Municipal Theatre of Porto

In the year of 2018, the program’s total hour count was 480, and 16 students participated. Both during and after the course, participants were offered 46 internships and many professional opportunities, from which some were paid.

Course hours: 480 hours
Students: 16 students (10 Portuguese and 6 foreign)
Internships and professional opportunities: 46 estágios

Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Bruno Listopad (PT/NL) – Choreographic Composition
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Helder Seabra (PT/BE) – Choreographic Composition
Hofesh Shechter Company (Diogo Sousa e Merel Lammers) (UK) – Hofesh Shechter Repertoire
Joana Castro (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary dance
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Mendonça (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Marco da Silva Ferreira (PT) – Contemporary dance
Marta Lopes (PT) – Yoga
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Renan Martins (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Yannis Adoniou (GR) – Choreographic Composition

Colaborations with other institutions:
Casa da Arquitectura (Matosinhos)
CID: Concurso Internacional de Dança (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Festival Lá Fora (Évora)
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto

I only intend to attend a certain period of FAÍCC/FOCAR. Can I still sign up for it?
No, it is not possible to apply only to a part of the course. Even though the FAÍCC has a modular structure, it was planned as one multidisciplinar and complete experience – one course and not a group of separated modules put together. Nevertheless, there are a couple of “open modules” – and, in those, there will be external students joining in.

Do I need to present a health certificate to participate?
We take your health very seriously and it is very important to know you are physically well and prepared for this intensive course. Besides your written confirmation (in the contract you will sign in the first day of classes), we highly request an official declaration of your doctor, saying you are (physically) able and healthy to join the program.
When the declaration and/or the results somehow show injuries or health issues that could really danger your health, we will strongly advise you not to participate in this edition. Note: We will not kick you out when you decide to stay and join the program despite our advice, but in that case we might let you sign a document, declaring you attend our program on your own responsibility.

Can I attend only a few modules of the course?
The course is one program, designed to be experienced as an all program. But, of course, you are free to skip classes. Please, keep in mind that, if you miss more than 50% of a module/subject, it won’t be referred in your diploma. During the course, there are a couple of “open modules” and for those (and only those) external students can apply.

How many presentations will we have throughout the course?
The amount of presentations is not fixed, it depends on each edition’s specific program and partnerships. In any case, the course always has a strong creation/ presentation dynamics, so the student can expect:
Up to 3 informal presentations (of their own creations done during research weeks);
At least 2 presentation of “Percursos”, a site-specific project connecting dance and architecture;
Up to 2 presentations/ creation process with a invited choreographer;
One final presentation of co-creations in a theatre (small stage)

Do students have any kind of assessment throughout the course?
The students will receive weekly feedback from the tutors. For us, positive, specific and individual feedback is the most important kind of assessment: the tutors are incentivized to use direct feedback as much as possible and also, after each module, to write a qualitative assessment. We also develop the feedback in between the work group, creating an interesting environment based on trust, respect and positiveness.
Students don’t receive quantitative feedback because we dont believe in a numerical bidimensional assessment.

Does the course provide accommodation and food?
No, but we can share with you information and contacts to help you with your search for accommodation and also give you some tips about the living cost in the city, including food expenses.

Does the course offer a certificate at the end?
Yes, each student can require a final certificate with all the completed modules. However, so that each module is included in the certificate, you must attend, at least, 50% of the module.

Can I apply for any scholarship?
Yes, if there is any available. In the past 6 years, Fundação GDA has been supporting Portuguese or students based in Portugal. Please contact us about this, if you are portuguese or resident in Portugal.
Also, if you intend to apply on your own for a scholarship (from your country, for example) we are happy to help you with it and we are available to send you any document you might need from the Company.

Can I use the course facilities for other activities?
Yes. After the classes, you can use the studios for rehearsals and research (but it has to be previously booked, so it is your responsibility to schedule the time you want with the person in charge).
Also, there are a few activities taking place at our facilities that you can attend, including regular dance classes twice a week.

How are the facilities of Instável and how can I have access to the studios?
Besides the office, there are two studios, a dressing room, a terrace and a common area. It is possible to have access to the studios and other facilities from 9am to 11pm, every day.

Where can I eat?
There are a few restaurants and supermarkets around Companhia Instável and also two student’s cafeterias a few minutes walking – at Architecture Faculty and at Planetário.
If you would prefer, you also have the option of bringing your own food and warm it up in our microwaves and you have space at Companhia Instável to eat.

What does a weekly schedule look like?
The regular schedule is from 9.30am until 3pm, from Monday to Friday.
Occasionally, there will be some weeks with a schedule until 6pm and, for presentation projects, there might be necessary to work/rehearse during the evening or at weekends.

Will there be online classes?
Depending on the pandemic situation, there may be. Besides that, the first two weeks are usually online, which will allow you to travel later to Porto.

What kind of professional experiences can I expect?
It depends on each edition’s specificities and partnerships, as well as the projects that are going on at Companhia Instável during your course. It also depends on the students availability, interest and, of course, if their profile fits what we are looking for projects we have in hand.
As the course was designed towards experimentation and professionalization, and the students can be invited to do small internships in some projects (both from Companhia Instável and from our partners), and some of them may be paid. Also, being daily at our studios where many residencies are taking place and having classes with very active creators/tutors, gives you the chance to get to know the “artistic tissue” of the city and it has happened that some students were directly invited to some projects with them.
In 2019, for example, the students had 29 professional opportunities (5 of them were paid, the others were internships).

Can I work as I am enrolled in FAÍCC?
Yes, many students from FAÍCC did that in the past editions. In the specific case of FAÍCC, we organise your daily schedule to finish around 3pm.
We have to warn you, though, that it can be difficult for you to do night shifts and, in the modules with different schedules, it can be more challenging to conciliate. Also, keep in mind that, besides the actual classes, you will have time to research and work on your creations.

How do the facilities look like and when can I have access?
Lugar instável (where most FAÍCC classes will take place) is the headquarters of Companhia Instável, that works as Choreographic – with many residencies, workshops and projects take place there.
Besides the team’s office, there are 2 studios, one collective dressing room (without shower), a rooftop, and a common area. It is possible to have access to the facilities daily from 9 am to 11 pm but, after the “office schedule” you need a permission to use it and to book a working schedule.

Where can I get more information about the program?
The Instável team is always available to answer any questions you might still have about the program and you can contact us through social media, email or phone calls.
However, we believe that the alumni, the ex-students of FAÍCC, are actually the ones that can give you the best information! We can provide some contacts and we often put candidates in contact with people that were in a similar situation.

What is the inscription fee?
The inscription fee covers administrative costs as well as the accident insurance. It gives us the information that you are actually planning to do the course – only after you proceed with the inscription payment, your vacancy in the program is guaranteed. If you are not sure you plan to do it, please, we suggest you to not proceed to this payment immediately, since this fee is not refundable.