About us
Internationalism
The Arts Council published its first ever International Policy in June 2005, and internationalism is now one of our six policy priorities, as outlined in Our Agenda.
Internationalism is a state of mind, intrinsic to modern life. Internationalism does not depend on travel but requires respect, curiosity and humility.
Our performers, visual artists and writers enjoy the highest international reputation. The UK is a major international tourist destination. We will host Liverpool European Capital of Culture in 2008 and the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012. Globally, our creative and leisure industries compete vigorously and the arts greatly contribute to the UK’s international diplomacy.
Our approach to internationalism begins with the artist. We will support:
- artists from this country to work abroad
- international artists to work here
- artists from here and abroad to work with each other
We aim to empower the arts community to work internationally, to develop international knowledge and capacity, and to help internationalise England culturally at a wider and deeper level.
- We will fund artists and arts organisations to work outside England
- We will work in partnership with the British Council, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the DCMS and others
- We will ensure that the Arts Council itself is active internationally
- We will support sustained relationships with a small number of nations such as China and Brazil
Key documents
Our International Policy key objectives are:
- Building knowledge and capacity on international working within the Arts Council
- Increasing the Arts Council’s international profile and playing a leadership role in international policy developments
- Empowering the arts community to work internationally
We are in the process of implementing the policy objectives. Our Internationalism: from policy to delivery report outlines key achievements in our international work.
Key information sources on International working
- Euclid - The Arts Council has recently contracted Euclid to provide international information and policy. You can find general information on international working and funding on this site.
- Visiting Arts - Visiting Arts provides a range of services and information to support international working
- British Council - the Arts Council works closely with the British Council and we have a longstanding Memorandum of Understanding. Key projects that we are currently working in partnership on are the Artist Links China programme, which ended in October 2006, and the new Artist Links Brazil programme, which commenced in October 2006.
- Connections through Culture programme, an online resource for anyone wanting to work in China. The programme is managed by the British Council
- Department for Culture, Media & Sport - the DCMS has launched an International Strategy which identifies five international goals for its sectors
- Labforculture - is a new interactive online resource for all those involved in arts and culture in Europe
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office - the FCO provides guidance and information on travelling overseas, including information on visas
- UK Trade & Investment – provides general information and guidance on importing or exporting products and services, including cultural product / services.