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How do you build up an international network?

Working internationally
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To start working across borders, it’s important to build up an international network. A lasting and loyal bond with people or organisations often has more influence than a single successful presentation abroad. Therefore, invest in sincere contacts with curators, programmers and fellow artists abroad. In addition to brand awareness, such a network can also ensure that your practice has an international base.

You can start networking internationally here and now. Consider the representation of international students in higher arts education or the large cultural and international presence in Flemish cities and Brussels.

As an artist, you’re usually the one asking for something, but also think about what you have to offer. What is in the collaboration for you and what for them?

Networking is about give and take. Make sure that you develop genuine contacts, where you can do something for each other and it’s not just about promoting your own work. It is therefore important that you invest time and research the right international matches. There are also many unwritten rules that can depend on each region, which you will learn as you go along. Make sure you build genuine contacts where you can mean something to each other, build mutual trust and it’s not just about promoting your own work. Passion and enthusiasm can be contagious. Your work is the starting point, but make authentic work and not in function of building international networks.

If you have to travel for your work, if possible, take the opportunity to extend the planned activity with additional (informal) meetings or spontaneous collaborations with local artists or organisations. Stay present after your performance or presentation to talk to the programme director, curator or audience. Be present in the local arts scene, also go and see other performances or exhibitions. Don’t limit networking to just the business or professional context. Building lasting international networks takes time and sometimes something concrete does not come out immediately. But these relationships or small international collaborations can offer great opportunities in the long run.

Flanders Arts Institute also encourages you to grow with others across national borders. It can be interesting to build an informal network of peers with whom you can exchange content inspiration and inform each other about opportunities in different countries.

If you are not good at networking, prefer to hand it over completely because of the large time investment or want a good business framework, you can work with arts organisations with an international focus or a manager, agent or booking agency. Professionals often already have an international network themselves. There is great potential in such collaborations, but also some pitfalls. Make sure you have the same goals in mind before entering into the collaboration. Also, do not fully count on the collaboration and maintain your artistic ownership. Larger programmers and curators, for instance, often prefer direct contact with the artist. Therefore, find a balance in the collaboration and be transparent towards each other.

Only by actively engaging will you discover what works for you and what doesn’t.

Which initiatives within the arts can help with international networking? 

International residencies play an important role in networking. You can search for and apply for residencies yourself or respond to open calls. Residencies allow you to get to know a region and network locally at your own pace – and sometimes with support. An overview of international residencies can be found on the website Transartists.

Participate in festivals or become a member of organisations that focus on networking and meetings. A number of these are summarised below. Is there a festival or organisation that focuses on international networks that we’ve not yet mentioned? Let us know at advies@kunsten.be. 

  • Work visits and visitor programmes: keep an eye on the Flanders Arts Institute newsletter and calendar.

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