In attempting to stage arts events internationally, the first port of call for a British artist or arts organisation should be the British Council, writes Sarah Gillett. The British Council works in 110 countries programming a diverse range of work across all artforms, resulting in over 2,000 arts projects every year all over the world.
In the Art, Architecture and Design department (itself made up of Visual Arts and Design Departments), we work closely with our offices overseas and collaborate with professional colleagues in Britain and abroad to create a range of activities and events. Whilst priority is given to the promotion of contemporary practice in the UK, we do occasionally organise historical exhibitions.
As well as supporting organisations, the British Council can provide grants to individuals through our Grants to Artists scheme. This is designed to help visual artists resident in the UK with transportation and travel costs to an overseas exhibition of their work (group or solo). The scheme is competitive but is open to all UK-based professional artists as long as they have a firm offer in writing from the overseas venue. Once an application is submitted, arts officers in the country concerned are consulted to provide an assessment of the proposed venue and to determine the local and international impact of the show. Exhibitions lasting more than two weeks are given a higher priority but the emphasis is on the quality of the work submitted for viewing as part of the application.
The Performing Arts Department produces and supports a programme of international events working with our overseas offices and partners. We put together performing arts programmes appropriate to each of the countries in which we work, planned according to British Council objectives, local aims, tastes and needs. Artists and companies in receipt of an invitation from an overseas partner can contact us for advice and support. If their project fulfils the criteria, some funds may be available to meet some of the cost of fulfilling the overseas engagement.
Our Film and Literature Department can also offer support to film-makers through the festival promotion scheme. Film-makers can send a tape of their short film to us and our panel will view it to see if it would be suitable to suggest to any one of the 50 international festivals we work with. We can then promote those films around the world, helping with submission fees, administration work and freight costs. We can also provide money for making prints and travel grants.
Sarah Gillett is Information Manager in the Visual Arts Department of the British Council. Arts queries
t: 020 7389 3194;
e: artweb@britishcouncil.org;
w: http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts