XTRAX at TPAM 2020: Performing arts meeting in Yokohama, Japan

As excitement builds towards Toyko 2020, XTRAX carried out a research visit to the TPAM Performing arts meeting in Yokohama, Japan, to explore opportunities to connect with the outdoor arts scene in East Asia and build on relationships made during the XTRAX and SIRF 2019 international showcase.

TPAM is one of the most influential networking platforms in Asia, with over 700 delegates representing 45 countries participating in the professional programme, alongside curated and fringe programmes showcasing the diversity of contemporary performance from across the Asia-Pacific region.

As part of the official TPAM Exchange platform, we presented an overview of the UK outdoor performance sector, including strengths, trends and examples of artists that are currently touring internationally including in East Asia. Using our successful collaboration with South Korea as a case study we demonstrated how we could build relationships with new Asian partners, and shared invitations for Japanese promoters and festivals to attend our showcasing activities in the UK in 2020.

We also met with several key Japanese organisations to develop our understanding of the context and potential for outdoor arts including the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (producers of Tokyo Festival, Festival Tokyo and TACT Festival), Strange Seed Street Arts Festival, Setouchi Circus Factory, Roppongi Art Night, Arts Council Tokyo, The Saison Foundation and Setagaya Public Theatre (producers of Sancha de Daidogei festival).

Throughout 2020 we will be continuing to work closely with partners in South Korea as well as exploring opportunities in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to develop new partnerships and facilitate exchanges between the UK and East Asia in the field of outdoor/street theatre and performance.

We are planning to bring an Asian delegation to our showcase events at Stockton International Riverside Festival in 2020, and have several planned visits to East Asian counties across 2020.  If you would like to know more about how you could engage with our activity, then please contact us.

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.

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Contact

Please contact Hannah Hartley to find out more about our East Asian activity at: info@xtrax.org.uk