on-the-move is an initiative of IETM, the Informal European Theatre Meeting, international network for contemporary performing arts. In 2001, the European Cultural Foundation (Netherlands), funded a feasibility study undertaken by IETM in collaboration with Relais-Culture-Europe (France), with advice from the Lasipalatsi (Finland).

This study allowed the conception and construction of a pilot portal by partners in the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. The “pilot” attracted development funding in 2003 from the European Commission, the European Cultural Foundation and the Dutch Fonds voor Amateurkunst en Podiumkunsten (FAPK ).

The pilot site was developed by Rudy Engelander and Tela Leão, Contexto Intercultural Lda. Portugal (telaleao@gmail.com) and designed by Tallieu & Tallieu nv. Since July 2002 on-the-move has been accessible to performing arts professionals.

During 2003, under site manager Tela Leão, the pilot site was technically improved, a German version was added and the scope broadened by including sites relevant for music professionals. The revised and improved version of on-the-move was made accessible to the public in December 2003.

During 2004, the site continued to expand and appointed Judith Staines as General Editor. In December 2004, on-the-move.org established itself as an international non-profit association constituted under Belgian law (aisbl: association internationale sans but lucratif).

on-the-move has developed partnerships with organisations in Finland, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Portugal, the Caucasus region and the Russian Federation.

On-the-Move.org aisbl. is a non-profit international association, with an international Board of Management:
Christopher Gordon (President) - independent cultural consultant, UK
Maria de Assis Swinnerton (Vice-President) - Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal
Mary Ann DeVlieg (Administrateur Delegue) - IETM, Belgium
Ruben Gutierrez del Castillo (Treasurer) - Fundacion Autor, Spain
Martina Marti (Secretary) - Finnish Theatre Information Centre, Finland
Javier Brun - Government of Aragon, Spain
Richard Polacek - European Affairs Consultant, Belgium