British Council/Bahrain is committed to international development and the empowerment of individuals and communities through the arts – connecting the creative sector and audiences in Bahrain with the best of UK contemporary arts. Within this framework, the British Council is seeking UK based, experienced curators, facilitators or institutions to act as a course leader to deliver a Cultural Skills training program in Bahrain for artists, curators and members of the arts and culture sector. The proposals submission deadline is 24 August 2019.
As part of the Gulf-wide Culture and Sport program, in early 2019, British Council/Bahrain delivered an intensive cultural training for artists, curators and cultural sector professionals focusing on three priority skills building areas:
1. Representation in the Public Sector including applying for grants from international organizations, international artists residencies, international travel grants and public collections and commissions.
2. Representation in the Commercial Sector including private gallery representation, auction houses, art dealers, art fairs, private collections, buying and selling and private commissions.
3. Writing and Communication: Portfolio development, essay writing, biographies and social media.
Key learnings from a survey conducted in June 2019 for previous training workshop showed that the arts and cultural sector in Bahrain want to continue to learn and develop their skills in country as well as learn about international exchanges and opportunities. Based on this, British Council/Bahrain intends to run more in-depth, intensive training with a modular approach, from October 2019 – March 2020. The target audience would be emerging to mid-career artists and arts and culture professionals.
The aim of these sessions will be to expand on the three areas outlined above and build on them by
focusing on some of the following priority topics like:
- Inclusivity and access with a focus on
arts and disability – writing interpretation and museums, heritage and audience development - Critique: practical skills on how to give
and also receive art critique - Evaluation and reflection on the art
scene in Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East - Funding for arts and culture
- Turning your art into a business or a career
- Cultural exchange and residencies – how to look for and apply for opportunities
- Cultural policy and cultural program management – curatorial/programmer
- How arts and culture can and do contribute to the creative economy
This training program is part of the British Council strategy to help young Bahrainis pave a career in the arts sector. The British Council secures relationships with creative partners internationally to deliver invigorating projects in Bahrain, from theater and dance to visual arts and design.
Join us now to know more about this tender opportunity and to engage with British Council/Bahrain.