Our work in Arts | British Council Mexico

We work with the best of creative talent to develop innovative and high quality proposals in collaboration with artists and cultural institutions in Mexico and the world.

Following the UKMX Dual Year in 2015 that increased the visibility of UK arts in Mexico and strengthened cultural links both countries, an ambitious Shakespeare Lives programme was delivered in 2016, consolidating the British Council’s presence as a key player in the cultural sector in Mexico.

Since 2017, our Arts programme has evolved to centre around fostering links between the cultural sectors in the UK and Mexico, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation and social inclusion, in addition to presenting the best of UK arts and culture to Mexican audiences.

We work with emerging talent and cultural partners in Mexico and the UK, developing initiatives that encompass the British Council’s global strategy and regional focus areas, and address local needs.

PROGRAMME PRIORITIES

Arts for Social Change: ensuring arts contributes to changing perceptions and attitudes, promoting best practice and creating new audiences, and fostering a more open, prosperous and diverse society. Example programmes: Crafting Futures, Unlimited and Outburst.

Fostering Collaborations, Skills Development and Networks: creating opportunities for bilateral collaboration across all arts forms; developing the cultural sector’s capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship; and setting up the foundation of long-term professionalisation for future leaders and agents of change in Mexico. Example programmes: The Selector Pro, Ellipsis – Hay Festival and Transmedia Mapping.

Sharing UK Arts: enhancing the profile of UK creativity and developing new ways of engaging audiences, promoting the diversity of the UK and its artistic communities. Example programmes: The Selector, Design Exchange – Abierto Mexicano de Diseño and Alternate Realities – MUTEK and Sheffield Doc/Fest.

Dos personas con rasgos indígenas trabajando en artesanías de barro

Architecture, Design and Fashion

We develop projects between designers, architects and artisans in the UK and Mexico, to present the best of these disciplines, develop new skills and create opportunity for collaboration.

Creative Economy

We work with the next generation of artists and creative entrepreneurs in Mexico and the UK to tackle today’s challenges, providing the research, tools, space and connections that creative communities need to experiment, learn and flourish.

Architecture plan at the emerging talents exhibition

Cross Artform

We are committed to creating opportunity for experimentation across different disciplines, enabling both skills development and the showcasing of emerging talent

Presentation of Docunexion, documentals in the British Council of Mexico

Film

Bringing together filmmakers, social organisations and public institutions to fuel social change

Literature

We work with writers, editors, producers, translators and professionals from other sectors related to literature to develop collaborations and innovative projects that provide opportunities for cultural exchange with the United Kingdom, and to develop new skills for emerging writers and editors in Mexico.

Music

We aim to strengthen the international profile of UK music and creativity, to communicate the diversity of UK society, and to establish long-term partnerships between the UK and Mexico. We present the best new music from the UK through the weekly radio show The Selector, and create opportunity for emerging music talent in Mexico to develop new skills and develop links in the UK.

Two costumed actresses, part of the theater and dance group between Mexico and the UK

Theatre and Dance

We develop links between emerging practitioners, producers and performing arts companies in Mexico and the UK. We foster the development of skills and new audiences and skills in key areas such as arts and disability.

Visual Arts

We are committed to promoting the achievements of the best British artists in Mexico. Our main activities include exhibitions, training workshops, seminars and conferences, connecting the UK's visual arts sector with professionals nationwide.