In addition to bringing some of the most well-respected outdoor arts professionals from overseas to the UK to see fantastic shows, 2019 also saw us spotlighting the diverse range of UK work at several key events in Europe.
Last August in the Netherlands, we helped Spoffin Festival present a UK focus and introduce the people of Amersfoort to exciting work from Avanti Display, Safteycatch Street Theatre, Company Chameleon, Mimbre, Southpaw Dance Company and Strong Lady Productions, among others.
The professional programme included an introduction to the UK and Irish Outdoor Arts sectors, delivered by Maggie and Elena, Angus MacKechnie (OutdoorArtsUK) and Lucy Medleycott (ISACS), and a series of artists’ pitches with presentations by UK companies Motionhouse, Simple Cypher, Thingumajig Theatre, Stopgap Dance Company and Imagineer Productions with their new large-scale show, The Bridge.
September took us to Spain, where XTRAX represented its projects and Without Walls at Europe’s largest outdoor arts marketplace, FiraTàrrega. Maggie and Irene met key colleagues from overseas and spoke with them about the latest news from Britain, including a gathering with international colleagues to talk about Brexit co-organised with Outdoor Arts UK. XTRAX were also on-hand to support the two UK companies who pitched their projects: Mimbre with Lifted and Full Tilt Aerial with Substratum.
We also championed UK Outdoor Arts at 4 further International events and Marketplaces, in Georgia and South Korea.
XTRAX’s international showcase activity is part of our Platform4:UK project funded by Arts Council England which aims to promote the work of UK outdoor artists internationally, creating new markets for UK work and developing strong international partnerships.
Check out what’s coming up in 2020 here
Image credit: Lifted by Mimbre © Stockton Borough Council
