The Four Nations International fund is a co-investment between Creative Scotland, Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International.
Grants of between £1,000 - £5,000 will be available during this pilot phase from a total budget of £100,000 for in-person, digital or hybrid activity including exchanges, residencies, partnership development, co-creation and networking, with priority given to applications experimenting with innovative models of international collaboration. Applications will need to include partners in at least two of the four nations of the UK and one international partner.
Fund Timeline
Fund opens – Thursday 21 October 2021
Deadline – Thursday 11 November 2021
Decisions – Monday 13 December 2021
Projects start – between 10 January 2022 and 31 March 2022
Projects complete – by 31 March 2023
Creative Scotland is managing the fund’s application process for the Four nations arts councils. On the partnership’s behalf, Joan Parr, Interim Director of Arts and Engagement at Creative Scotland said:
"The development of art and culture thrives on international collaboration and exchange. Artists and creative practitioners derive inspiration, opportunities to grow and develop practice through the sharing of ideas and explore new ways of working, as well as reaching new audiences.
“In the wake of the impacts of COVID-19, the UK’s departure from the European Union and the ever-growing climate emergency, working together with our fellow arts councils and agencies, we can more effectively help address challenges for those based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales wishing to connect with their international counterparts.”
Today’s announcement represents one of a series of collaborations between the Four UK nations arts councils and agencies including the pilot Arts Infopoint UK initiative offering advice on practical issues relating to artist mobility led by Wales Arts International, as well as an exploration of mutual and more sustainable approaches to bilateral initiatives with several European countries, such as the German Fonds SozioKultur.
Eluned Haf Head of Wales Arts International added:
"Each nation in the UK is culturally, artistically and linguistically distinct and diverse. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have our own cultures as well as shared heritages. International working demands collaboration and shared global responsibility. As our artists and creative companies continue to work internationally, our own spaces must continue to be welcoming for international artists working in and with the UK."
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, and the loss of access to vital multilateral cultural networks, it is important that the four arts councils in the UK are successfully working together as we seek to build trust internationally, affirm connections and support artists to cooperate across borders. Among the many shared concerns and priorities of the four nations are international mobility and meaningful connections for artists across the UK; access to festivals and venues in the four nations for international artists; showcasing the diversity of artistic product in the UK and overseas; and the future of international touring in the light of the climate crisis."