As the national arts development agencies across the four nations of the UK, we are working together to develop ways to support the continuation of international artist mobility into the UK and of UK based artists and companies working internationally.

On Wednesday 20 January 2021 the Dutch government announced additional measures to prevent the spread of the UK variant of the coronavirus. As a result of stricter measures, the exemptions on the European travel ban for professionals working in the cultural and creative sector are no longer in place. This means that these professionals will no longer be granted entry starting on 23 January 2021 at 00:01 AM (CEST).

After months of negotiations, the UK and the EU finally agreed on a deal on 24 December 2020 that governs their partnership, effectively starting on 1 January 2021. New barriers have materialised that are making it more difficult for European and British citizens to visit, work and settle in each other’s countries. We at DutchCulture strongly believe that cooperation and exchanges through working across the EU-UK borders must continue.

After three years of promoting a pilot project, from 2021 Pro Helvetia intends to consolidate the artistic relationship between Switzerland and South America. To do this, it will open permanent offices in São Paulo, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá and Buenos Aires.

As we head towards the end of a very strange year for international working in the arts, we are thankful that we have been able to stay connected virtually to our international partners. We’re hopeful and looking forward to a time in 2021 when we are able to connect and meet physically.

Shaoxing and Dunhuang in China, Kitakyushu in Japan, and Sunchon in the Republic of Korea (ROK) have been designated by the three countries as the Culture Cities of East Asia 2021.