In the latest of a series of training sessions developed for creatives in the outdoor arts sector, we brought together a special panel of industry experts to share their knowledge and practical advice on pricing and touring work internationally. It was followed by a Q&A session and networking to further explore and discuss various ways to approach the topic.
The speakers were:
- Louise Richards, Founder and Executive Director of Motionhouse, one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies with extensive outdoor experience
- Andrew Kim, Co-Artist Director of Thingumajig Theatre, a visual theatre company specialising in creating and performing innovative puppet plays and interactive giant puppets.
- James MacPherson, Artistic Director of Artizani, one of the longest-running street theatre companies in the UK touring all over the world.
- Irene Segura, International Relations and Artist Development at XTRAX, chaired the session.
During the session, each speaker gave a 15-minute presentation that included a short introduction to their company’s work and funding structures as well as their experience in touring internationally. Subjects that were covered included:
- Formulating a price for your show (what to include/what not to include, factoring in travel costs etc.)
- Negotiating fees
- What to consider when creating a show for the outdoors
- Experiences of touring the UK and overseas
- What to share and agree with bookers
- Useful resources
- Top tips on how to get noticed and building relationships with promoters
The session provided a useful insight into what should be considered when exploring the international market and where to find and make the most of the opportunities available to artists, both in the UK and further afield.
Creatives attending the event said:
“[It was useful] hearing the speakers talk about building slowly, making [a show] good quality and not negotiating!”
“Lots of useful facts and figures”
The seminar was supported by Platform 4:UK, XTRAX’s Arts Council of England funded project for the international export of UK outdoor arts. It took place in Manchester City Centre on Monday 25 November 2019.
To find out more tips and advice, follow the links in the download section. A video recording of the session will be available to watch early January 2020. Presentation slides are provided courtesy of Louise Richards, James MacPherson and Andrew Kim.