Artists international development fund launched in England

A joint three-year programme between the British Council and Arts Council England which will support individual artists based in England to work internationally has opened for applications.

The Artists' international development fund will provide grants of between £1,000 to £5,000 for artists to travel, explore and collaborate internationally while carrying out professional projects.

The £750,000 fund aims to support artists who have carried out little or no work internationally, and is designed to help artists build on their domestic success and develop markets and audiences overseas for their work.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said:

'The Artists' international development fund is practical, flexible support for artists who wish to expand their practice by working internationally. It will help develop the careers of individual artists and create new links between the art community in England and their international colleagues.

'It has been created in response to the strong message we've received from artists that working internationally and exchanging ideas is of great importance to them.

The grants are to be used towards covering travel costs, daily needs, some material costs, and accommodation. It has three deadlines per year.

While the application can ONLY be made by eligible artists based in England, grants may cover international travel in either or both directions: i.e. a proposal can include travel by the applicant to visit a potential partner/host abroad AND/OR travel by overseas partners/collaborators to visit the artist in England.

For more information, and to apply, visit www.artscouncil.org.uk/artistsinternational

In the past, the Arts Council of England has run country-specific international artist link programmes. You can read about the former Artist Links China 2002-2006 programme, in an e-book documenting the 4-year Artist Links exchange programme. It was run by the Arts Council of England and the British Council and supported with 60 creative projects involving 90 artists in England and China.

Image: 8gg 2006. In Transit. Fu Yu and Jia Haiqung of 8gg. who participated in the Artist Links programme in 2005. A joint three-year programme between the British Council and Arts Council England which will support individual artists based in England to work internationally has opened for applications. A joint three-year programme between the British Council and Arts Council England which will support individual artists based in England to work internationally has opened for applications. A joint three-year programme between the British Council and Arts Council England which will support individual artists based in England to work internationally has opened for applications.