WIREDGOV

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

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.

Arts Council England and the British Council are each providing half of the total funding available.

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 opportunities, aspirations and ambitions the fund will support will also drive the creation of new and exciting work which will benefit audiences in this country.'

Graham Sheffield, Director Arts, British Council said:

'Our relationship with Arts Council England has in the past months moved into a new phase and we are delighted to be announcing this fund together. Helping young and emerging artists is an important part of the British Council’s arts work. It is vital that the UK’s creative sector has the chance to develop an international perspective and a global network at a young age and this scheme will facilitate that.'

Author Neel Mukherjee added:

'An international exchange is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to a writer. It does two seemingly contradictory things: while optimising the essential solitude that is vital for any writing by freeing her into pure, undistracted work for the period, it also positions her in a bigger map of the networks and global community of writers. Magic!'

All projects must include one or two periods spent working abroad by the artist.

There are three funding rounds in each financial year the programme will run. The deadline for applications to be received for the first funding round this year is 31 May 2012.

The fund will be managed by the Arts Council. Successful applicants will be chosen jointly by Arts Council England and the British Council.

The grants are to be used towards covering travel costs, daily needs, some material costs, and accommodation. 

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