i-PORTUNUS PILOT MOBILITY SCHEME

The i-Portunus pilot mobility scheme was launched in 2019 and ran for three open calls, supporting 29 UK-based visual and performing artists to travel in Europe for projects, and also enabling international artists to create work in the UK.

This new funding initiative explored how to best facilitate cross-border mobility for artists by providing support for short-term (15-60 days) international projects from artists residing in a Creative Europe country. The aims of these mobilities were to develop international collaboration, engage in residences, and create projects with local communities.

This second phase of i-Portunus launched in 2020 with 2021 calls and new opportunities for music, heritage and architecture professionals and artists. Results from this pilot scheme will be key to shaping a new funding opportunity in the next Creative Europe programme (2021 - 2027).

“By travelling to London I was able to fully participate in the International Residency at the Royal Court Theatre. I spent three weeks attending sessions with playwrights, directors and professionals from the UK theatre world, as well as getting to know and exchanging ideas with the other eight European playwrights.”

Almudena Ramírez Pantanella, Spain-based i-Portunus participant who travelled to the UK

“These connections made me feel that the UK/European family was genuinely close, with shared worries, joys, laughs, and the experience combated that isolationist point of view that we often encounter in the UK. It was therefore a very fruitful, fulfilling project.”

Sarah Boulter, UK-based visual artist and i-Portunus participant who travelled to Germany.

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artists were selected from over 3,000 applications in 2019

Visual artist Sarah Boulter was one of 29 UK-based artists selected and took part in the first round of i-Portunus, travelling by train to a residency in Chemnitz, Germany where she worked with local people and artists. Image courtesy of Sarah Boulter.