Vision
The diffusion of performances of high quality is the life blood of the
international street arts scene and something that has been remarkably
effective, despite the relative lack of funding for theatre made for
presentation outdoors. Successful shows by well-known companies can be
expected to tour to a dozen or more European countries and to places
like Singapore, South America, Australia and Canada besides.
England and the rest of the United Kingdom has become a very strong market
for international street arts, a fact which was underlined in summer
2006 when Royale de Luxe brought “The Sultan’s Elephant” to
some of central London’s most important ceremonial places. In
this country there will be an increasing focus on outdoor performance
and street arts in the build up to the 2012 London Olympics.
Getting on the Map exists to promote the growing strength
of street arts and outdoor performance which is ‘made in the UK.’ It
will provide an additional focus for the self-promotion of individual companies
and supplement other initiatives from within the UK street arts sector. Let’s
not forget that a handful of groups like Natural Theatre Company have been
touring worldwide for decades (to 66 countries at the last count!) but there
is a new generation of exciting and innovative companies that are less well
known at the present time.
Until the spring of 2009 Getting on the Map will
assist key international promoters to make contact with the best English
and UK street arts companies, including the new wave of younger companies
who are making original and distinctive outdoor performances in areas
including street theatre, dance and music, site specific and installation
work, multi-media projects and culturally diverse work reflecting the
tremendous meeting place of cultures that Britain has become.
To find out more about the project or to discuss options and ideas please
contact Frank Wilson on 0191 276 9911 or frank@gettingonthemap.co.uk
Getting on the Map is managed by Event International with funding from Arts Council England.
