Nine artists from regions impacted by conflict will undertake residencies across Britain as part of a new programme initiated by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations.
The programme, which runs until July next year, is designed to support artists and cultural professionals whose work has been impacted by war. Participants will come from countries including Ukraine, Lebanon, Yemen and Palestine.
Ruth Mackenzie, the director of arts at the British Council, says in a statement: “Just as the British Council was established in 1934 to support artists and creatives in countries across the world in the face of political danger, we continue this mission today.”
The project is run in partnership with Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International. Each residency will last between four and twelve weeks.
Yasmine Rifaii, an artist from El Mina, Lebanon, is among the trio of artists who make up the programme’s first cohort. Rifaii, who is the creative director of Haven for Artists, a Beirut-based cultural feminist organisation, will be based at Cove Park, an artist residency space in Argyll on Scotland’s west coast.
“The Cove Park residency came at the right time,” Rifaii says in a statement. “I look forward to immersing myself with both the silence of nature, and the presence of fellow artists seeking the same experience.” Further artists are due to be announced.
Around 85% of the British Council’s turnover is earned through teaching and exams, tendered contracts and partnerships. The council also receives grant-in-aid funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which makes up around 15% of its total income.
