International arts coming into Scotland
Visiting Arts
Visiting Arts is a national agency which works to bring high-quality contemporary arts into the United Kingdom from countries across the world and to extend the dialogue between UK artists and their overseas counterparts.
Visiting Arts' purpose is to strengthen intercultural understanding through the arts. Its activities include (i) providing information and intelligence in order to strengthen intercultural dialogue; (ii) creating opportunities to experience intercultural exploration through mediated performances and exhibitions and by initiating and promoting collaborations; and (iii) expanding the skills and knowledge of existing cultural players and developing new talent to ensure a wide, diverse and sustainable group of players.
Visiting Arts’ work links England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with countries overseas prioritised by its Board. It does this, amongst other things, by: (i) creating, producing and distributing authoritative directories and help-sheets, targeted briefings and the latest advice through print, web and word of mouth; (ii) organising seminars, conferences and networking events to deepen intercultural understanding; and (iii) establishing and fostering opportunities for ground-breaking artist exchanges, promoting cutting-edge exhibitions and contributing to some of the world’s biggest and most innovative festivals.
From Afghanistan to Zanzibar, Visiting Arts works with the most exciting next generation of artists and cultural players, inviting them to the UK, expanding knowledge and horizons, and championing intercultural working.
The Visiting Arts Board is chaired by Gordon Conway. Other Board Members are Cathie Boyd, Ajay Chhabra, Graham Long and Romesh Gunesekera.
Visiting Arts has a wide and growing group of associates with whom it works on one-off contracts. These associates represent some of the most experienced and diverse cultural operators in the UK (and beyond).
In addition to other year-round activities, Visiting Arts staff relocate to Edinburgh in August where they run networking events (including an a Producers' Breakfast) as well as produce a website dedicated to the festivals.
Below is a guide to the on-line resources provided by Visiting Arts to help in bringing overseas arts to the UK. The first set of resources (Practical Information) deals with the practical aspects such as documentation and some tips for overseas artists and groups wanting to come to the UK. The second set (Online Resources about International Artists) comprises web pages that have detailed information about international artists that are available to be programmed in the UK. The third set (Events, Projects and Case Studies) provides information about Visiting Arts activities and funded projects that have taken place or that are upcoming in Scotland.
The following are online resources of practical information for those wanting to bring work into the UK from overseas.
Practical Information
Information and advice on presenting overseas arts in the UK
Useful advice to get you started
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/information.html
Visiting Arts grant funding programmes
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/funding/index.html
Red Tape
A guide for performing arts groups and artists coming to Scotland covering work permits, visas, tax and other practical issues to consider.
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/redtape.html
Nail to Nail
A guide for visual artists coming to Scotland and/or bringing exhibitions into Scotland, covering work permits, contracts, visas, tax, transportation and other practical issues to consider.
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/Nailtonail.html
Info Sheets
Information sheets with tips and hints for theatre groups wanting to approach UK producers and presenters...
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/tips_theatre_dance.html ,
...and for visual artists wanting to approach UK galleries and curators
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/tips_visual_arts.html
Online Resources about International Artists
International Artists, Groups and Events Across the Edinburgh Festivals
A unique and comprehensive list of all the overseas arts events and artists at all four festivals being presented in Edinburgh in August, listed by country
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/edinburgh/listings.html
International Artists Available to Tour
An online resource where UK-based programmers and curators can exchange information about overseas artists that they are planning to bring/considering bringing to the UK for projects involving presentation, collaboration or residencies; this resource is designed as a networking and information tool that will enable programmers and curators to present international arts more efficiently in the UK.
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/artists/index.html
Culturebase.net
An online database of artists and performers from geographical regions such as Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe who have previously presented their work in Europe
http://www.culturebase.net
Events, Projects and Case Studies
Information on Visiting Arts activities and funded projects in Scotland.
Visiting Arts at the Edinburgh Festivals
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/edinburgh/index.html
Forthcoming Events supported by Visiting Arts
Projects taking place in Scotland which are supported by Visiting Arts through grant funding
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/calendar/scotland.html
Case Studies
A participant in an arts management workshop during the Edinburgh Festivals
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/casestudies/graphics/visiting_arts_palchoudhury.pdf
An interview with a group performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2003
http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/casestudies/graphics/visiting_arts_dakshasheth.pdf
Other agencies
In 2007
The Pick International Culture & Arts Promotion was established with the aim of promoting international culture and arts across China and Britain. Working in partnership with arts organisations and artists based both in the UK and China, The Pick: (i) promotes British performing arts work in China; (ii) promotes Chinese performing arts work in Britain; (iii) organises arts-related international tours, conferences and presentations and assist with arts festival performances; (iv) helps UK organisations to liaise effectively on projects with Chinese partners; and (v) promotes Chinese culture and arts in Scotland through workshops.
Make direct contact with organisations and individuals working in this sector through our extensive database of
KEY CONTACTS.
