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 5.5 United Kingdom
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 Perspectives
Colin Hicks and Catherine Dickson have deep experience in facilitating the work of Canadian artists in the U.K.
“A successful tour of venues or events in the U.K. depends first and foremost on the quality of your presence in their networks.” – Colin Hicks
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"The creative industries, as they are called in the U.K., represent one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK’s economy... The challenge for Canada is to establish its visibility and presence in such a competitive environment and for the post to develop personal relationships with key contacts." - Catherine M. Dickson, counsellor, Trade, Investment, Science and Technology, from the 2008-09 Trade Routes Business Plan, Commercial and Economic Division of Canadian High Commission
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The United Kingdom consists of four very distinct cultural districts, each with a distinct cultural history. The same cultural understanding of difference that exists in Canada must be observed and respected in the U.K.
The websites of the four arts councils operating in the U.K. provide great information on the many types of presenters and festivals in the market. Additionally, Visiting Arts, an independent registered charity with the mandate to strengthen intercultural understanding through the arts, also offers a wealth of information about touring in the U.K. on its website.
Like most international markets, making inroads into the U.K. marketplace requires a significant investment in time. However, once presenters are familiar with your work and you have developed an ongoing relationship, an invitation to appear would likely be made for an engagement in 6 to 12 months (festivals) or 12 to 18 months (theatres).
Typically, Canadians don't need visas to go to U.K., however be sure to confirm the status of any members of your group traveling with non-Canadian passports. The U.K. system of visas and work permits has been replaced since November 27, 2008 with Certificates of Sponsorship. Canadian Embassies and the Quebec delegation are very helpful and often have cultural attachés on staff.
Note: Fee ranges in U.K. are varied and fees are subject to a withholding tax.
Presenters
The U.K. has four distinct cultural districts, histories and languages – each with their own arts council:
These councils don’t normally fund visiting artists, but their websites provide great information on presenters, festivals, areas of operation and funding. Note: The same understanding of cultural difference that exists in Canada must be observed and respected in the UK.
There are many types of presenters in Europe:
- Festivals
- Government-funded and large commercial theatres
- Choreographic centres are venues that invite companies for residencies and presentations
- Independent presenters/producers who may function as agents securing partners or presenters or co-presenters
Festivals and venues presenting multi-disciplinary work are often curated within a specific genre. Find out about their programming to see if there is any potential for your work.
The Edinburgh Festival is the best-known U.K. event. Some call it “the place where the worlds’ artists, presenters and festival directors meet.”
Research
Here are a few sources of information:
Visiting Arts
- An independent registered charity with the mandate to strengthen intercultural understanding through the arts.
- Works in partnership with government arts councils and agencies, and a wide and growing group of other partners and associates. These include some of the most experienced and diverse cultural operators in the UK (and beyond).
- A “one stop shop” for information about touring in the UK.
The British Performing Arts Yearbook
- Provides essential information for anyone working in the performing arts industry, whether creatively or in the administrative and support sectors.
Networking
Events and associations where you can connect to U.K. presenters and artists:
Some of the musts:
Timelines
Like most international markets, it will take time to make inroads into the UK marketplace. If you are lucky and your work is not only excellent but distinctive within the aesthetic framework of a particular festival or theatre programming scheme, you could find yourself securing a U.K. engagement in as little as two years. More likely, you will spend considerably more time.
Once presenters are familiar with your work and you have developed an ongoing relationship, an invitation to appear would likely be made for an engagement in 6 to 12 months (festivals) or 12 to 18 months (theatres).
Market Potential
The U.K. cultural market is extremely competitive but still very open to experience new cultural products, no matter where they come from; quality is more important than origin. Here are a few facts:
- The United Kingdom has the largest creative sector in the European Union and, relative to GDP, probably the largest in the world.
- The culture sectors account for 7.3% of the economy, comparable in size to the financial services industry.
- Canadian cultural goods exports to the UK increased by 53% between 1996 and 2006, with a peak of $67M in 2005.
- The U.K. receives 1.7% of total Canadian cultural goods exports, making it the second-largest destination for Canadian cultural exports, after the US.
- The U.K. is Canada's most important destination in Europe, accounting for 32% of Canada's cultural goods exports to the Western European market in 2006.
Source: 2008-09 Trade Routes Business Plan, Commercial and Economic Division of Canadian High Commission
Visas, Permits and Taxes
Visas are typically not required by Canadians to go to the U.K.
If you are traveling with others who have passports from other nations, check to see if there are travel restrictions or visa requirements related to their country of origin. For more information: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en
Work Permits:
In November 2008, the U.K. system of visas and work permits was replaced with Certificates of Sponsorship – artists can work or perform for up to 12 months with a Tier 5 (temporary worker) certificate
To get a Tier 5 certificate you need to have a sponsor (eg. the host event or organization). Sponsors have different statuses, some are even exempt. Find out what status your sponsor has and how well informed they are of the new system.
Taxes:
Presenters must pay approximately 25-30% of your fee to the government. For individual artists, tax withholding regulations vary from country to country.
Other business notes
Canadian embassies and their cultural attaches can help you learn who the main presenters are in the region. Some can provide a small office space for you to make phone calls, or make an introduction on your behalf or hold a reception.
When negotiating your fee, ask for a fee net of taxes so that you do not have to deal with paying the performance tax. If the taxation laws do not allow for net fees, the presenter will let you know and will expect that your fee will be higher.
Fees are varied – they may be higher than those you might get in Canada and the U.S. but they might also be considerably less. Some will pay for hotels, per diems and local transport. It is unusual to secure airfare as part of your fee. |