We work on around 1,400 arts events every year. The focus of our work differs from country to country: in some places we have an extensive arts programme, in others we may organise just a few events a year.  We look for arts work that is both excellent of its type, and fits with our overall objectives for that country or region.  A UK work that may resonate in one country may be inappropriate in another, so whilst our arts specialists in the UK constantly seek out new work, and assess its general suitability for touring abroad, our arts managers overseas will have an in-depth knowledge of the local scene, and know what will go down well with their audiences.

We place great emphasis on collaboration: around 40% of the UK artists we send abroad will be working with other artists from overseas.

Our core audiences are people from 18 – 35, since these are most open to new experiences, whose perceptions of the UK are not yet fixed.  Much of what we support is new work that will appeal to these audiences.  But this is not an exclusive emphasis, and we quite often do work with older or younger audiences, and support classical work especially in countries where it is not already familiar.

We support a very broad spectrum of arts – from electronic and club-based music through to fashion design and new drama writing, as well as more traditional art forms. We don’t just work on large arts events; we also get involved in all manner of specialist, small-scale performances, arts-related seminars and workshops (for a more detailed description by artform, please click the links on the left).