Open Call for Creative Producers Programme 2022-23

The program will consist of several stages:

• One-week online workshop from 23 to 27 January 2023 with tutors from Curated Place,
• One-week offline workshop from 6 to 10 March 2023 in Serbia
• Partial financial support and networking opportunities in the UK for selected participants will be available following successful completion of the programme

Creative Producers are understood as the driving force in a creative project that sits at the meeting point of practical logistics and creative process in artistic and cultural events, exhibitions, festivals and projects.  

Representatives of different genres and trends can take part in this programme: independent producers and creatives, art managers and administrators of cultural venues, artists, curators, festival organisers, theatre critics and playwrights, directors, dancers, musicians and others with experience of organising cultural projects, and with the desire to develop professional skills in creative producing and interested in connecting with international peers.

Please note: While creative producers may work in both music and film music production and film production techniques will not be covered in this programme nor is the course tailored to professional development in the career structures of the industrialised Film and Music sectors.  

Applicants applying through eligibility must: 

• Be 18 years old or above
• 3 to 5 years of experience in creating a new work from scratch 
• Generate a unique idea or concept for a project that relates to cultural and creative sectors that will create a difference in the field
• Consider sustainability and dissemination strategy while generating the project proposal
• Consider engaging with the UK cultural sector

We particularly encourage applicants with innovative project ideas (innovative in the artistic or productional sense) which are going to be realised with and/or within larger, well-established platforms (major festivals, biennales, national institutions, networks) to apply and especially projects striving to promote cross-border collaboration and connect several platforms from different Western Balkans countries.

The programme will take place online and offline and participants are required to:

• Commit to all stages of the programme (see Key Dates below)
• Have good command of English (level B2 on the CEFR scale)
• Allocate 5 full days in one week to the online training
• Allocate time for homework 
• Participate in interviews and/or blogs to share the experience of the programme
• Credit the programme and partners in any future showing of project idea
• Be open to collaboration and co-production with programme participants
• Successful applicants may be invited to take part in additional showcase opportunities and British Council alumni programmes in the future.
• Successful applicants will be required to keep in regular communication with the British Council, offering project updates and support the project monitoring and evaluation

Please note that the programme will be held in English and translation will not be available.

We only consider applications that are completed in accordance with the programme requirements (see How to apply).

Applicants should have completed and submitted the online application form or submit 3 min video answering the questions: 

• Please tell us why you want to be a part of the programme, how you think it will benefit your creative practice and how it will benefit your city and the arts sector in your country.
• Please give us a case study of the kind of project you would develop should support and funding be available. Give detail about the project and why it’s an important project to happen now.

In addition, applicants considering proposals which include national institutions, festivals and other platforms should provide an written endorsement (email statement of support and willingness to take part) which should be attached in the proposal.

Deadline for submitting online applications or video December 31, 23.59pm local time.

Applications will be assessed by an evaluation panel formed of representation from the British Council and Curated Place.  

The panel will assess applications based on the applicant’s eligibility and the quality of information provided in the application form. In your application it is important to clearly express why you are interested in the programme and how you think this programme will help you to contribute to the development of the cultural and creative industries in your country.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates with diverse experiences, different nationalities and social / cultural backgrounds to ensure we have a balanced cohort of participants. For more information please read our Equality Global Policy Statement and Anti-racism Action Plan.

The applications that are fully completed and submitted by the application deadline December 31, 23.59pm local time will be taken into consideration by the evaluation panel. 

Following the selection process, the British Council may conduct an interview with short-listed programme candidates.

The successful applicants will be contacted by email by January 16.

Due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

• Deadline for applications: 31 December 2022
• Online interviews with shortlisted applicants: 9 - 13 January 2023
• Successful candidates notified: 16 January 2023
• Online learning programme: 23 - 27 January 2023 
• Offline learning programme in Serbia, 6 – 10 March 2023
• Selected participants visit the UK: between April and May 2023

Creative Producers programme will be facilitated by Curated Place.

Curated Place is an arts-led creative production company specialising in international public programmes, large scale public installations, original commissions, artist development, music strategy, event and sustainable production delivery.

For more information about the project, eligibility and criteria please contact milan.lucic@britishcouncil.org