The Connections Through Culture grants programme is designed to nurture fresh cultural partnerships between East Asia and the UK. These grants are instrumental in supporting new ideas and collaborations from artists and cultural organisations at any stage of development.

The grants supported in this round of Connections Through Culture programme have focused on two distinct areas: diversity and inclusion and, addressing climate change. The collaborative efforts across borders and artistic disciplines will lead to new thoughts and ideas created to address global challenges.

The grants support new connections, exchanges and collaborations. These grants help build long-term relationships and collaborations between artists, cultural professionals, creative practitioners and art and cultural organisations, hubs, networks, and collectives.

Connections Through Culture grantees 2023

EarthSonic

UK: In Place Of War (IPOW)

Japan: Chikar Studio LLC

UK artist Anja Ngozi and Japanese indigenous artist OKI will collaborate to address climate change through global music collaboration. Using In Place of War’s archive, they will create music that tells their stories of climate change with artists including Azadi.mp3, Damsel Elysium, ãssia ghendir. The project, a part of EarthSonic—IPOW’s global music project addressing climate change, will include remote sessions, a documentary, and an album.

Oneiric Kitchen

UK: Primary

Japan: Documentary Dream Center

"Oneiric Kitchen" is a collaborative project by Japanese artist-filmmaker Chiemi Shimada and London-based wellbeing practitioner Susie Cunningham. The project explores our relationship with sleep and addresses issues surrounding it. Developed through therapeutic cooking workshops in the UK and Japan, the project aims to create a safe space for participants to reflect on their sleep experiences. 

This is Not A Good Sign [Publication]

UK: J. R. Carpenter

Japan: Tomo Kihara

“This Is Not A Good Sign” is a web-based augmented reality (AR) poetry project calling attention to the changes in the climate occurring all around us. In its latest version, it will feature new AR signs and an accompanying art book displaying these signs in various international locations. The initiative also extends its scope by partnering with artists and photographers in Japan and Indonesia to create AR images, which will be featured in the publication.

 

Xin Liu Exhibition at Sapporo International Art Festival 2024

UK: Xin Liu

Japan: Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee, City of Sapporo

"Gleaming Bodies" is a mixed-media installation envisioning life 100 years from now, inspired by biological innovations. Collaborating with Sapporo International Art Festival, the project explores humanity's response to the climate challenges faced by the world today

The Village and The Road with Tom Pow and the Galloway Agreement: collaboration with Bird Theatre Company Tottori

UK: Ruth Morris

Japan: Bird Theatre Company Tottori

Ruth Morris brings Tom Pow and the Galloway Agreement’s” The Village and the Road” – a work dedicated to deepening understanding and engaging audiences in discussions on the impacts of de-population—back together with Bird Theatre Company Tottori, Japan, to collaborate on developing new content for the show, specifically for audiences in Japan.

'Ma' - the space between inclusive dance and Butoh

UK: Stopgap Dance Company

Japan: Yukio Suzuki Projects

Stopgap Dance Company and Yukio Suzuki Projects collaborate on a dance piece unifying disabled and non-disabled dancers in the UK and Japan. The project promotes inclusivity, challenging dance norms, and exploring the concept of 'Ma' (space).

Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey - 10-day workshop for a new international collaboration between Vanishing Point and KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre in March 2024

UK: Vanishing Point

Japan: KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre

Supporting VP and KAAT on the development of a new major international production, Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, based on short stories by Haruki Murakami. VP’s Artistic Director and artists will collaborate with Japanese counterparts, exploring script nuances, language delivery and design aspects, including set, costume and puppetry. The project consists of a 10-day workshop in spring and final production planned in autumn 2024 in Japan.