British Council invests in British arts via global programme

The British Council is to increase its investment in its global arts programme in response to increased demand for UK arts, expertise and specialist skills abroad. The organisation, which works to create cultural opportunities for people and improve cultural relations, will put an additional £7m into the budget for the programme over the next two years, on top of the £21.5m already earmarked. The money will come from the British Council’s self-generated income, which makes up 75% of its total income of nearly £700m. The increase in funding will mean new opportunities and markets will be developed for the UK, with a view to building the country’s overall reputation as a world leader. Some of the money will be invested in the creative economy, particularly engaging with priority markets including Indonesia, Turkey, Nigeria and Russia, and it will also be used to help develop and market in-demand cultural skills abroad by building an online network of arts professionals. The British Council says the injection of cash is based on their “belief in the fundamental strength of the arts and creative industries to the UK.”