This Visiting Arts project helps artists and creative businesses in Southern Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and the Pacific Islands grow their income, networks and markets through international working that helps them support both their artistic practice and their families. Our aim is to train and prepare 24 artists to be able to showcase their work at the Visiting Arts Producers' event at the Edinburgh International Festival 2016 where they will gain exposure, connections and expand their reach.
In these countries local markets are small and unsustainable; artists need help to get to the next level to reach international audiences and be able to increase their incomes to provide for their families. Many artists and creative start-ups work part time and around other jobs to be able to do the work they love. Visiting Arts helps them find ways to connect to new business contacts and gives them better opportunities, support arts practice and local art forms that are in danger of dying out.
The Edinburgh Festivals are the world's leading showcasing event where these artists can gain exposure in an international market, connect with other artists and organisations, network and grow their creative practice into a sustainable profession. Western markets are desperate for new and interesting arts and these artists are desperate for exposure and support. We provide access to the producers to the new work, train the artists to be "festival ready" and able to tour and sell their work.
Struggling creative professionals such as musicians in Trinidad, sculptors in Zimbabwe and dance groups in Fiji can then make the most of their profile on the global networking platform, World Cultures Connect, share their experience and further establish their skills and connections. WCC aims to help artists and creative businesses across the globe expand their networks, reach new markets and customers and become more sustainable through international working and exchange.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
