Navigating the web of governmental bureaucracy can be confusing in any country—that’s why we’ve compiled this short-hand guide to the must-know arts-related government agencies and consultancies in the UK.

The UK has four main Arts Councils that fund and support the arts and artists in their respective countries:

• The Arts Council of England
  The Arts Council of England is the national funding body for the arts in England. It is responsible for developing, sustaining and promoting the arts through the distribution of public money from central government and revenue generated by the National Lottery.

• The Scottish Arts Council
  The Scottish Arts Council aims to play a role in creating a dynamic arts environment which values the artist and enhances the quality of life for the people of Scotland.

• The Arts Council of Wales
  The Arts Council of Wales supports individual Welsh artists working in all disciplines and assists them in producing innovative work, encourages the presentation of work by Welsh artists through tours in Wales and abroad, ensures a diversity of opportunities to experience the arts in Wales, and improves arts facilities in Wales.

• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
  The Arts Council of Northern Ireland works to develop and improve the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts in Northern Ireland by increasing public access to and participation in the arts.

Other major players:

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  Out of a belief that culture and creativity are vital to the UK’s national life, the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities and through strengthening the UK's creative industries.
• Wales Arts International
  Wales Arts International, a collaboration between the British Council and the Arts Council of Wales, offers an international audience the opportunity to gain a clear perspective on the arts from Wales. Wales Arts International facilitates communication between presenters, organizations, festival directors, companies, and artists.
• Visiting Arts
  Visiting Arts promotes and facilitates the inward flow of international arts into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and fosters mutually beneficial international arts activities. The Visiting Arts site provides resources on funding opportunitites in the UK for international artists interested in touring as well as "help sheets" on presenting international work in the UK.