International cooperation

In keeping with its policy to support mobility, training and professional development opportunities, the Arts Council oversees four distinct programmes of activity in the area of International Arts: the European Cultural Contact Point; the Venice Biennale; the Location One residency; and the Travel and Training Award.

The CCP is a service provided in 37 eligible countries and the Arts Council is the designated service provider in Ireland. The role of CCP Ireland is to promote the EU Culture Programme at local, regional and national level and it provides information, advice and technical assistance to cultural operators in Ireland interested in applying for funding under the EU Culture Programme 2007-2013. This has added significance in a reducing budgetary environment.

The Arts Council partners with Culture Ireland to support Ireland's participation in the Venice Biennale. The Council agreed to commit funding to the Venice Biennale in 2012 (architecture); 2013 (visual arts); and 2014 (architecture) and has agreed a policy underpinning this commitment.

The Arts Council Council supports an Irish artist at the Location One Studio in New York while staying at an apartment in the city. Such an opportunity is of unquestionable value to an artist's professional development.

The Arts Council offers a Travel and Training Award across a range of artforms and practices. The primary purpose of Travel and Training is to support individuals who wish to avail of training and other professional development opportunities abroad, where the focus is on the development of the individual’s own arts practice. It also supports individuals or organisations who wish to invite specialists from abroad to deliver high-level training or mentoring. In 2012, a third strand was introduced to the Travel and Training Award and this provides assistance to arts organisations planning to make applications to the EU Culture Programme 2007-14.