FAQs
Whether you're an artist, company, arts professional or student, we've put together our frequently asked questions to help you out
Nassim, by Nassim Soleimanpour and the Bush Theatre, was a Recommended Show in our Edinburgh Showcase 2017 and toured to Chile as a result. Photo: Lina Sumizono
Current update
How is the British Council currently working with theatre and dance?
Like many organisations, the British Council has had to review the way we work and reduce the size of our operation.
We are currently working towards our new staffing model of three people in the Theatre and Dance team and our capacity is very limited.
During this time, we’re asking artists, freelancers and organisations for your patience. As time progresses, we hope you’ll help us find out what works and what doesn’t as we embark on new ways of working together.
In the meantime, you can stay in touch in the following ways:
- For updates on international arts opportunities with the British Council, see the Arts Opportunities webpage, follow @BritishArts on Twitter and sign up to the Arts Newsletter.
- To find out more about our theatre and dance work, including international advice, read on through our FAQs.
- For general enquiries, email general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.
For a statement about the future of the British Council, see this link.
Advice
I am a UK-based artist or company who would like to work overseas. What advice can you give me?
Read about what we do.
For updates on international arts opportunities with the British Council, see the Arts Opportunities webpage, follow @BritishArts on Twitter and sign up to the Arts Newsletter.
Other British Council resources include:
- Africa Arts Newsletter, with updates on the creative sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK
- China Now, an online resource for UK arts and creative professionals
- Disability Arts International, which includes an artist directory and country profiles
- Festivals from India, with festival information and training resources
You can also investigate international showcases run by UK organisations, such as Caravan or Horizon (if you’re based in England) and Made in Scotland (if you’re in Scotland).
See also the following from other organisations:
- Arts Infopoint UK website
- International resources (Farnham Maltings)
- On the Move website
- A practical guide to Brexit for outdoor arts touring companies (Xtrax and Split Second)
- The tour must go on! A guide to touring across Europe for UK performing artists and companies (Artsadmin, LIFT and 1927)
- Touring in the EU webpage (LIVE)
I am an overseas producer who would like to work with UK creatives. What do you suggest?
Get in touch with your local British Council arts contact. They will be able to discuss priorities in your country and explore whether there might be potential to work together. We usually work with partners to plan and co-curate projects together, so it’s best to allow time to build this relationship.
You can check out showcases of UK work, such as Caravan, Horizon, Made in Scotland and Unlimited.
See a list of UK festivals from Farnham Maltings.
Find out about UK disabled artists on our Disability Arts International website.
I am an artist based outside the UK. Do you have any advice for me?
Find your local British Council website for information on performances, workshops and other local opportunities.
Lots of international artists are interested in touring to the UK and there are a number of ways to bring your work to the attention of programmers. You could showcase your work at an international performing arts market, invite individual programmers to see performances in your country, or present work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or another large festival.
See also:
- An introduction to touring into the UK (Farnham Maltings)
- Arts Infopoint UK website
- On the Move website
How can I develop international networks?
It's a time-consuming process, just like building a network anywhere. You must be prepared to put in the time, investment and leg-work. Attending international performing arts networking events can be helpful – here are some examples:
- APAM (Australian Performing Arts Market)
- APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals)
- CINARS
- IETM (International network for contemporary performing arts)
- internationale tanzmesse nrw
- ISPA (International Society for the Performing Arts)
- Korean Arts Management Service events
- TPAM (Tokyo Performing Arts Market)
About the British Council
Will the British Council fund my arts project or see my show?
Like many organisations, the British Council has had to review the way we work and reduce the size of our operation.
We are currently working towards our new staffing model of three people in the Theatre and Dance team and our capacity is very limited.
In the meantime, for updates on international arts opportunities with the British Council, see the Arts Opportunities webpage, follow @BritishArts on Twitter and sign up to the Arts Newsletter.
How can I find out what the British Council is doing in a specific country or region?
Visit the British Council website for the relevant country. See also past overviews of our arts work in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Wider Europe.
To find out about past theatre and dance projects in different parts of the world, explore this website. You can search for content about a particular country or browse our projects and blogs.
See the advice above (for UK artists who would like to work overseas) for more international resources.
Information
Where can I find funding for international work?
For updates on international arts opportunities with the British Council, see the Arts Opportunities webpage, follow @BritishArts on Twitter and sign up to the Arts Newsletter.
UK arts councils often have international funds for UK artists:
See also IETM’s Fund-Finder and On the Move’s Mobility Funding Guides.
I want to study theatre, dance, or a related subject in the UK. Where would you recommend?
The UK is a great place to study and there are many options, depending on what you’re looking for. See Study UK for more information.
How can I find out what’s on in the UK at the moment?
There are a huge number of productions and festivals taking place across the UK at any one time.
There are a number of listings sites, including What's On Stage, Disability Arts Online, Time Out, Rendition (London), Run Riot (London), Stagedoor app (London), The List (Scotland) and Wales Arts Online.
