Visiting Arts exists to increase the impact of international arts and culture in the United Kingdom. It works with all regions of the UK, with all parts of the world and with a wide range of art forms. Visiting Arts is a national (non-governmental) agency which works to ensure that a broad range of high-quality international art is available to audiences throughout the UK. Through its broad range of activities and services, including information, advisory work, training and project development, Visiting Arts aims to develop greater international awareness through the arts and promote positive cultural relations.

Visiting Arts was formed in 1977 as a joint venture of the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Council and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. In April 2001 it became an educational charity legally independent of the British Council and in March 2003 it moved into central London premises of its own. It is funded by the Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Arts Council of Wales, the British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It gives approximately £300,000 in grants annually and is the creator of the Cultural Profiles project.

Visiting Arts offers a variety of online resources which are designed to serve the needs of artists, agents and managers from overseas seeking to present projects in the United Kingdom:

Practical information:

A range of online practical information resources for those wanting to bring work into the UK from overseas:

Online Resources about International Artists:

An online resource where UK-based programmers and curators can exchange information about overseas artists that they are planning or considering to bring to the UK for projects involving presentation, collaboration or residencies. This resource is designed as a networking and information tool that will enable programmers and curators to present international arts more efficiently in the UK.

A unique online information resource of over 800 artists and performers from geographical regions such as Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe who have previously presented their work in Europe. Developed by the House of World Cultures, Intercult, Visiting Arts and the Danish Center for Culture and Development with the support of the Culture 2000 programme of the European Union, the site. also has a page of useful links to similar resources.

Events, Projects and Case Studies:

Information about Visiting Arts’ activities and funded projects that have taken place or are upcoming in the United Kingdom.