China-UK Arts Management Programme

25 February 2013

China-UK Arts Management Professional Development Programme 2013 – Call for UK Hosts

The British Council China-UK Arts Management Professional Development Programme will take place in October and November this year and we are now seeking expressions of interest from UK organisations in the performing and visual arts, museums and design sectors.
 
Last year, nineteen young arts managers from performing and visual arts organisations in China spent up to five weeks with one or two arts companies across the country during the British Council China-UK Arts Management Professional Development Programme.  Our objective was to increase the understanding of culture and society between China and the UK and increase collaboration between UK and Chinese cultural organisations.
 
In all, 34 UK arts organisations hosted an individual during the programme and many reported that they had developed new contacts and learned a great deal about culture in China.
 
"The chance to learn about China from a native was the best thing about the placement.  I realised how much I didn’t know!"
 
Hosts also discovered that the presence of a foreign guest for a period of time had a significant impact on staff in their organisation, encouraging people to challenge their own established practice and look at problems afresh. 
 
"Many staff in the Marketing Team found her insight from an entirely different cultural perspective enlightening in how to change the way we work."
 
If you would like to read the evaluation report on last year’s programme, which has feedback from both hosts and participants, you can download a copy here.
 
We are now seeking expressions of interest from UK organisations in the fields of performing and visual arts, museums and design to host a colleague from China for this year’s programme.  The placements will run from 7 October to 8 November and will be preceded by a 6-day workshop in London.  Opportunities are sought offering experience in all areas of management.
 
Selection interviews for the Chinese participants will take place in early April and to assist in that process we would like to hear from UK organisations interested in hosting a placement by 10 March.