British Council & Curated Place's Creative Producer Programme awards 2023
After an exciting year working with Creative Producers from 14 countries across Wider Europe and Central Asia the British Council have awarded seven of our outstanding Creative Producers with support to realise the projects they developed through our training. Including everything from an illustration project for the visually impaired, to an international radio station takeover, to preparations for the European Capital of Culture 2028 it has been a privilege to be part of the professional development of our 2022/23 cohort.
HATIYE GARIP
Türkiye
“Accessible Lines will be an online platform that allows illustrators to showcase their work with audio descriptions in their own voices. It aims to make illustrations accessible to blind and low-vision audiences.
Accessible Lines project wants to support illustrators and encourage them to make their illustrations accessible to all. The platform is a showcase for everyone to discover new illustrators and illustrations. In line with the motto of "Nothing about us without us", the opinions and suggestions of disabled people, especially blind individuals and people with low vision, will be present in the process of creating and developing the accessibility of the illustrations.
10 Turkish and 10 British illustrators will be exhibited online along with audio descriptions and with the project producing tactile prints to showcase the included illustrations. The exhibitions will take place in accessible venues in both Turkey and the UK.
Following the first edition the project aims to grow internationally and build an accessible future for illustration by inviting illustrators from around the world.”
https://hatiyegarip.com/
MISHA KUZHEL
Uzbekistan
Conducting an online master class / workshop on creating self-publishing artist book, including photography books and zines, held with UK- born, Brooklyn-based artist, publisher and photographer Andreas Laszlo Konrath. The master class will include a two-day intensive course, where local independent artists - photographers, artists, graphic designers, etc. will be able to gain invaluable experience in creating their own publication.
Despite the availability of similar courses on the Internet, the creation of such a workshop that directly connects one of the leading modern self-zine makers such as Andreas Lazlo Konrath directly with young Uzbek artists can give a powerful motivation to their creativity and career growth. This workshop will serve as a catalyst for the development of the creative scene in the field of publishing. The priority audience of this workshop will be emerging artists.
At the end of the workshop, is expected to each of the artists will present their first zine created as part of this event. After this workshop, we hope to support the publishing printed photo books with local artists.
ELCIN JAFAROV
Azerbaijan
The Katalizator (Catalyst) ArtsHub I plan to create, is conceived as a place open to all creative ideas. In Azerbaijan, there is no common platform that could unite arts and social communities, and practitioners from different arts fields, which will able to lead the formation of a productive environment for successful and sustainable results in the creative industry. Katalizator ArtsHub can be considered as one of the effective solutions to this problem.
Katalizator ArtsHub will bring together artists who have no connection with each other and creative cooperation, creating conditions for the implementation of new ideas and the establishment of a joint creative process. Katalizator ArtsHub is a platform created to support projects by various creative people rather than executing projects. Our first edition will focus on the modern playwriting of the UK aimed at creating an idea of modern UK dramaturgy in the Azerbaijani audience.
Within the framework of the project, 3 seminars will be held dedicated to the creativity of British playwrights including Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter, Simon Stephens, Gregory Burke, Sarah Kane, Mark Ravenhill, Martin McDonagh, and Peter Shaffer. At the end of the project, it is planned to publish a research work dedicated to modern British drama.
ARMIN ŠESTIĆ
Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Sarajevo Creative Summit, slated for mid-December 2023, aims to solidify Sarajevo's position as a burgeoning regional hub for artists and creative professionals in Bosnia & Herzegovina (B&H).
This three-day summit is designed to fortify the creative economy of both Sarajevo and B&H. The first day will feature panel discussions and presentations, diving into best practices and effective policies to bolster the local creative industry. Day two emphasises networking and collaboration, giving artists, creative leaders, and entrepreneurs a platform to connect and cultivate potential partnerships. The grand finale on the third day showcases a high-end cultural event spotlighting renowned UK artist alongside B&H's finest talents.
The summit seeks to pave the way for Sarajevo to emerge as a regional cultural beacon, attracting and nurturing artists and creative professionals. By merging global insights, fostering international collaborations, and showcasing unparalleled talent, the Sarajevo Creative Summit is poised to craft a brighter, more innovative future for Sarajevo and B&H's creative realm.
ANNA BURDINA
Ukraine
There is an urgent need to develop comprehensive rehabilitation and adaptation programs, specifically designed for young people and teenagers who have been deeply impacted by the traumas of war. While veterans and displaced individuals are undoubtedly in need of assistance, it is crucial not to overlook an even more vulnerable demographic—those grappling with mental disabilities.
The core concept of this project revolves around the creation of an innovative laboratory. This laboratory aims to offer support to individuals facing mental challenges and disabilities, harnessing the transformative potential of self-expression through art as a means of healing and self-discovery.
The initial phase of the project entails forming a small group of 5 individuals. This group will serve as both a testing ground for curatorial insights and a canvas for studying and adapting the valuable experiences of my UK visit. Ultimately, the overarching objective is to develop a robust program that can be easily expanded and replicated across diverse regions within Ukraine.
ELENA BOJADJIEVA CVETKOVSKA
North Macedonia
Third edition of International Forum for Creative Industries and Creative Expo will take place in November in Skopje. Building upon the resounding success of our previous edition this year's Forum stands as a pivotal component of our strategic initiative towards the European Capital of Culture 2028. Our aim is to promote and foster the growth of creative industries in North Macedonia. We envision this event as a dynamic and engaging platform that will assemble thought leaders, industry representatives, women entrepreneurs in the creative and cultural sectors, innovators, economic chambers, institutions, high-level policymakers, and delegates from civil society and international organisations.
At the same time and place, those two days will be held Creative Expo, a first of a kind two-day event where different branches of the creative industries will be presented in one place, in order to encourage domestic creativity, to show original ideas and all the potential of the creative industries to the public. A 2-day curated event with the best, most daring and innovative ideas and products.
https://skopje2028.mk/
VANJA BABIĆ
Serbia
A collaboration with Soho Radio.producing a series of bi-weekly radio shows spanning from October 2023 to February 2024. Listeners can look forward to a diverse audio palette of music and culture, bridging the essence of both the Balkans and the UK. Alongside immersive radio-DJ music sets, we'll weave in pre-recorded audio snippets and live discussions. In these moments, my guests and I will peel back the curtain, sharing the stories and inspirations behind their music creations.
These shows will champion both the Serbian and UK music scenes. Drawing from my collaborations in both regions, the broadcasts will feature a mix of innovative beats and insights, bridging two dynamic music cultures. Given the broad reach of Soho Radio in the UK and my own following in the Balkans, this initiative aims not just to entertain, but to forge connections, promote mutual appreciation, and celebrate the shared love of music across borders.
