US-professionals-Arts-FAQS-British Council USA

Lone Twin perform "9 Years." Image credit: Michele Rossignol.

Q&A for UK artists

Q&A for US ARTISTS

General Arts FAQs

ARTS FAQS



		Arts FAQS - General


		Arts FAQS - UK- Artists


		Arts FAQS - US- Artists


		Arts FAQS - US- Professionals

	Arts FAQs

I’M AN AMERICAN ARTS PROFESSIONAL:

		I'm planning an arts event or project involving contemporary UK artists - how can I apply for funding from the British Council?

The British Council is an international cultural relations organization rather than a more traditional arts funding body like the NEA or Arts Council England. We do not operate grant programs and it is not possibly to formally apply to us for funding (a single exception in the US is our Grants-to-Artists scheme).

Our main cultural work in the United States involves providing advice and information on contemporary practice for arts professionals and facilitating arts projects and partnerships in their initial stages. We also collaborate on a limited number of cultural projects with US organizations, but these are planned a minimum of 9-18 months in advance and developed in close partnership to specific objectives – they are usually multi-city and often multi-national. You can find out more about how we work with US-based organizations online.

		I curate a gallery space, museum or art center in the US and am interested in presenting a visual artist from the UK - can I apply to the British Council's Grants-to-Artists program?

Grants to Artists is designed to promote excellence in contemporary British art by assisting emerging professional artists (who reside in the UK) to exhibit overseas in public or commercial spaces. The scheme is administered with guidance from members of a subcommittee in consultation with British Council offices overseas. Either the artist, curator or hosting US venue may apply. Full information about the scheme including application deadlines is available online.

		What can the British Council do for me and my US-based arts organization?

The British Council is a global cultural relations organization – our goal is to build mutually-beneficial, long-term relationships between people in the UK and other countries. In the United States we can serve as your primary information portal for contemporary, cutting-edge art from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We offer, or are able to direct you to, unbiased and accurate information on the best of the contemporary art scene across discipline throughout the UK.

We can advise on opportunities to see new British work (in the UK, Europe or elsewhere in the world), connect you with UK-based contacts, advise on promoting an event in the US featuring UK artists and sometimes provide limited financial support for specific projects developed in partnership with our office. Please see Working With Us for further information about our cultural work in the United States.

		How does the British Council work? What kinds of projects is the British Council interested in?

As an international cultural relations organization, the primary goal of the British Council is to build mutually-beneficial, long-term relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. Our UK-based website has information about our global network and our projects in different countries around the world.

To find out more about our approach to cultural projects and partnerships in the US, we invite you to learn more about how we work with US-based organizations.

		I’m planning a trip to the UK to see new work. Can you tell me what's on?

			Our compilation of current arts listings, guides, webzines and sites keeps you current on what’s on in Britain. Look to Our Top Picks in every discipline for ways to access current information on arts events in the UK.
			We’ve got even more information in our sections on opportunities to see new work and what’s on in the UK.

		Where can I look for information on organizations involved with arts and education in the UK?

			Please see our resources on arts education policy and outreach organizations in the UK.
			Our Education department also maintains a practical guide to the mechanics of studying arts in Britain which may be useful.

		I’m trying to locate British films for a festival or other screening. Can you help me find recent feature-length films and shorts?

Our Britfilms website provides an online database of UK films from 1998 to those in production this year, as well as a directory of British filmmakers. Each entry has a brief synopsis, information on the production company as well as the cast and crew. Contact details for the distributor/sales agent are usually also listed for each film.

		Where can I find information on UK arts festivals?

			Check out the British Arts Festivals Association, which provides a complete calendar of arts festivals in the UK with links to festival websites.
			Comprehensive information on UK literary festivals can be found in our online guide.
			Information on all of the Edinburgh Festivals can be accessed through a single site.

		Where can I find funding for international exchanges and arts projects?

Find out more about funding resources in the US and about funding resources in the UK.

		What is the difference between the British Council and the Arts Council(s)?

			The British Council is the UK's international cultural relations organization - we work to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to highlight the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. In the arts we work to highlight contemporary British creative excellence internationally.
			The UK also has a system of agencies and government organizations to serve British artists who are working in the UK. For more information on government arts agencies in the UK, look to the resources we've pulled together for US arts organizations, agents, producers and curators.

		I would like to contact or collaborate with UK-based artists – where can I look for information?

You can find contact details online for:

			Theatre and dance companies and performance artists
			Contemporary visual artists and current exhibitions (contact details are for gallery or venue)
			Films and filmmakers
			Authors, writers and poets
			For questions about specific artists please contact sector specialists in our London office directly.

		I'm interested in continuing my training in the UK. Where can I look for information?

			An organization called Visiting Arts provides information on a range of UK training, placement and residency programs for arts managers/practitioners wishing to work within a UK arts environment.
			You may also wish to look at our guide to arts education opportunities in Britain.