Alliance for International Educational Artist Exchange
The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange is an association of 86 nongovernmental organizations comprising the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. Founded in 1993 after a merger of the International Exchange Association and the Liaison Group for International Educational Exchange, the Alliance serves as the only collective public policy voice of the exchange community.
Artists from Abroad
Artists from Abroad is an online resource for foreign guest artists, their managers, and performing arts organizations. Immigration attorney Jonathan Ginsburg and tax expert Robyn Guilliams have authored indispensable guidance featured on this site, and provide the forms and web links you need to steer through the process of engaging guest artists reliably, efficiently, and lawfully.
US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs
US Embassies
International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA)
ISPA is a global network of more than 400 leaders in the performing arts with representation from more than 185 cities and all regions of the globe. ISPA members include facilities, performing arts organizations, artist managers, competitions, funders, consultants and other professionals working in the performing arts.
NEA Webinar Series
Bringing Foreign Artists to Your Stage
Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International advances peace and prosperity through cultural, educational, humanitarian, and economic development exchanges. It serves as a hub for institutional knowledge and best practices in the field of citizen diplomacy.
Theatre Without Borders
Theatre Without Borders is an informal, volunteer, virtual community that shares information and builds connections between individuals and institutions interested in international theatre exchange.
UNESCO
UNESCO is known as the “intellectual” agency of the United Nations. At a time when the world is looking for new ways to build peace and sustainable development, people must rely on the power of intelligence to innovate, expand their horizons and sustain the hope of a new humanism. UNESCO exists to bring this creative intelligence to life; for it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace and the conditions for sustainable development must be built.
Funding Opportunities
Association of Performing Arts Presenters
Cultural Exchange Fund
APAP recognizes the importance of global exchange to fully engage audiences and communities in the breadth and diversity of international performing arts experiences. Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Cultural Exchange Fund (CEF) is a travel subsidy program which provides opportunities for U.S. based APAP members to expand and deepen their knowledge of traditions and cultures abroad, build partnerships and develop collaborations with foreign artists and arts organizations, and experience artistic work from around the world in its cultural context.
Network of Ensemble Theatres Exchange Grants
NET/TEN Exchange Grants build on and deepen existing relationships through shared activity and peer-to-peer learning.
• Grants range from $3,000 to $10,000, and require a 1:1 match
• Activities must occur in U.S.
• Awarded once a year
Exchange Grants must address one of these two goals:
(A) Artistic or technical/production exploration. Builds on a prior relationship, in order to go deeper into a technique or methodology, follow a mutual interest, build a shared work, present a performance, etc. Performance tours are not a required element of these grants, although they may be included as part of the exchange.
(B) Administrative development/exchange. Deepens existing relationships by exploring practices unique to the operation or management of an ensemble, such as (but not limited to): approaches to shared or rotating leadership, training in consensus decision-making, use of non-traditional structures, etc.
Network of Ensemble Theatres Travel Grants
NET/TEN Travel Grants support activities to initiate new relationships or further develop existing relationships.
• Activities may take place in U.S. or internationally
• Awarded twice a year
• Grants range from $500 to $2,000
Travel Grants are intended to initiate and strengthen relationships, removing the barriers of distance and travel. Funds may be used for applicant travel or to bring in a guest. Eligible expenses include: travel costs, housing, per diem, artist fees, etc. Activities may include (but are not limited to) observerships, shared rehearsals, planning, training, and/or other exploration. Artistic, administrative, and technical/production-based projects are welcome.
Travel Grants do not support production costs, tours, or equipment purchase. Funds may not be used to support professional development activities, such as conferences, festivals, attendance at pre-existing public workshops and trainings, or similar events.
Theatre Communications Group Global Connections Grants
The Global Connections program was designed by TCG and is funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. US-based theatre organizations and individual artists may apply to one of the two initiatives of this new program:
Global Connections—On the Road: This initiative will award 12 grants of up to $5,000 each to foster new relationships with international colleagues that will inspire each other’s work and aesthetics by creating opportunities for cultural exchange.
Global Connections—In the Lab: This initiative will award six grants of $10,000 each to further pre-existing international collaborations by supporting residencies that either advance the development of a piece or explore elements leading up to a full production.
United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
International Artist Exchange Grant
This grant is designated to support institutions working together to integrate international theatre artists into their offerings for the purpose of enhancing the educational opportunities and cultural exchange for students and faculty.
The grant will fund projects which must:
Include two or more institutions sponsoring the project
Invite international artists with an area of specialty covered by USITT member interests
Include a method of sharing the project with USITT members
Areas for Project Support Include:
Workshops, courses, symposiums, production appointments, exhibitions, regional section conferences.
Eligibility for grant:
Must include USITT members from each institution involved
Submit International guest credentials and recognition
Include Student involvement in the project
MacArthur Foundation International Connections Fund
The International Connections Fund supports two-way artistic exchanges that benefit Chicago arts and culture nonprofits and their peer organizations abroad.
MidAtlantic Arts Foundation
USArtists International Grants
USArtists International supports performances by U.S. dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo artists invited to perform at important cultural festivals and performing arts marketplaces anywhere in the world outside the United States and its territories. USArtists International grantees reflect the vibrant diversity of U.S. artists and creative expression in the performing arts.