In 2009 the British Council will present the International Young Performing Arts Entrepreneur (IYPAE) award for the second time. The award seeks to champion and celebrate the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the field of the performing arts.

Performing Arts Sector Definition

IYPAE participants can be drawn from any of the following areas of the performing arts:

• Producers of theatre, dance, music or live art performances
• Promoters, festival directors and marketing specialists in this area
• Managers of theatre, dance, music or live art companies
• Developers of performing arts publishing, communications or websites
• Consultants providing specialist services in any of the areas outlined

Eligibility

A participant must:

• Be aged between 25 and 35 at the date applications are due
• Already work in the creative sector (as outlined in each of the sectoral definitions above) with at least three years experience in their sector
• Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion of  that creative sector in their country, in either a commercial context, public context, or both
• Through their character, drive and abilities, demonstrate their potential to be a future leader of the sector in their country
• Have English language skills to IELTS 6  - ‘competent user’ or above

IYPAE Schedule-China Region

• 14 June 2009-Deadline for submitting applications
• 15-26 June 2009-Application selection
• 29 June 2009- Announcing national finalist
• 11 – 25 August 2009 – UK tour

Important note: If you are interested in joining the competition, please visit the China-UK Creative Entrepreneur Network (http://ce.britishcouncil.org.cn) and download the application form after registration. You should send the application to ce@britishcouncil.org.cn by 14 June 2009.

Finalists’ Tour in UK

In August 2009 the finalists will arrive in the UK for a 2-week tour of the UK national performing arts sector. This programme, created in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Arts Council, will take them to London, Birmingham, Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Edinburgh to meet leaders of the performing arts sector. The tour will comprise visits, meetings, seminars and events and shows. It will also include a master class with an internationally renowned UK performing arts entrepreneur during which the finalists will be able to question them about the development of their highly successful performing arts business.

The programme will be tailored to the finalists’ interests as much as possible, and include both a group itinerary for the finalists to get a shared overview of the best of the UK performing arts scene and specific meetings to introduce finalists to UK contacts of particular interest to them for commercial or collaborative purposes.

Here is a tentative outline of the itinerary:

• 11 August: Finalists arrive in London
• 12 August –14 August: Meetings in London; Master　class with Farooq; Judging
• 15 August –16 August: Week-end in London for finalists to attend shows
• 17 August: Meetings in London; finalists travel to Birmingham (evening)
• 18 August –19 August: Meetings in Birmingham and Coventry
• 20 August – 21 August: Finalists travel to Edinburgh; meeting in Edinburgh
• 22 August: Event with UKYPAE finalists
• 23 August: Edinburgh Festival shows
• 24 August: British Council Showcase; Award Ceremony
• 25 August: Finalists leave / free to stay behind at their own cost

Note：You will be updated on the final tour dates and details of the itinerary in August.

More about the IYPAE programme in UK

IYPAE is a cross departmental collaboration between Creative Economy Unit (CEU) and Drama and Dance (DAD) to showcase international business innovation in the performing arts, using the UK as the nexus for cultural, creative and commercial exchange.

IYPAE took place for the first time in 2008, when 8 international performing arts entrepreneurs took part. The winner was Gabriel Zapata from Colombia.

For more information on the previous IYPAE award, please see:

www.creativeconomy.org.uk/iypae08

About International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) Award

The International Young Creative Entrepreneur Award is launched by the British Council in design, publication, music, visual arts, performing arts, movie, new media and fashion design area. This award is unique for its recognition of the central role of young creative entrepreneurs in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy. It is essential for the UK to develop a culture of engagement and collaboration with these young international creative entrepreneurs at this vital stage in their professional development. For more information of the winners of the award, please visit: www.creativeconomy.org.uk

In 2009, China will take part in the award of the Music and Performing arts. The finalist of China will go to UK for a tour, comprising visits, meetings, seminars and live concerts and events. For more detail, please pay attention to our website.