Our performing arts programmes are put together based on:
But even if a project fulfils all criteria we may still not be in a position to help with support due to other plans and budgets.
WHAT ARE OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES?
Our work aims to:
- Help build and develop relationships between the UK and other countries in order to foster partnership, mutual understanding and tolerance
- Challenge stereotypes and attempt to change out-of date perceptions of the UK
- Promote contemporary UK creativity and innovation
- Present the UK in all its diversity and multiculturalism
WHAT ARE OUR TARGET AUDIENCES?
Young adults - roughly defined as being aged between 16 and 35. This is the age group that research indicates is most willing to countenance changing its impressions of another country and culture. We also frequently engage with older and younger audiences, depending on the population demographic in a particular country.
WHAT WORKS WHERE?
What we programme in particular countries depends very much on audience taste, considerations of language, current perceptions of the UK, any need for developmental work and the cultural situation locally. Our UK arts team and arts officers in each region have extensive knowledge of all of these things and continually update this knowledge through dialogue with our partners, advisors and contacts.
WHAT ARE OUR CURRENT GEOGRAPHIC PRIORITIES?
We work across the world in the countries in which we have offices, but we do also always have specific geographic priorities. Particular priorities at present are:
- The Islamic World
- China
- EU accession countries and new member states
- Sub-Saharan Africa
If you want to read more about our regional goals then please click here.
HOW DO WE WORK WITH UK ARTISTS?
We put together a performing arts programme of UK work and collaborations with international artist in each region/country. This is planned over a year or longer with our office overseas and in-country partners.
It's very rare that we can support artists who want to go abroad following an invitation from overseas and generally only if they fit in with our programme of work in that region/country and if there are funds available. Our programmes are our priority and therefore we are not often able to support or subsidise tours or bookings from third party sources (for example, an invitation to perform at a festival or a tour that requires subsidy).
The most important thing UK artists should do is to keep us up to date with the work you are doing – where and what you are touring, new partnerships you have forged, etc. We need to know when you are performing so we can try and come and see the performances for assessment purposes.
HOW DO WE ASSESS WORK?
Within the UK offices, we have teams of performing arts specialists for drama and dance who frequently go and see performances, keep in touch with the performing arts scene and network with UK and overseas contacts and audiences. Through this work we build up a picture of the UK performing arts scene and work being created and an idea of whether a particular piece of work would be appropriate overseas.
HOW DO WE LET OUR NETWORKS KNOW ABOUT BRITISH PERFORMING ARTS?
If work is seen which seems particularly suitable for an overseas market we will actively promote it to our overseas partners and colleagues. New opportunities for British artists are constantly being created through this continual dialogue and advocacy.
Furthermore, we also help overseas promoters and our own arts managers overseas coming into the UK all year round, to see and choose work but also to build up a broader, more accurate context for the work they see. We organise specific visits to some dance and drama showcases/festivals. On top of this, the Performing Arts department itself organises some showcases including a biennial drama showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Performance in Profile also helps to let a global audience know about what is going on in the UK performing arts scene.
|
