Live Art UK is a consortium of venues, promoters and facilitators who collectively represent a range of practices and are concerned with all aspects of the development and promotion of the Live Art sector.

Members of the consortium work individually, collectively and in partnership with a range of venues, promoters, facilitators and stakeholders across the UK and internationally.

Live Art UK aims to:

• Promote the understanding of Live Art practice
• Support artists throughout their career
• Grow and develop audiences for Live Art
• Develop new curatorial and presentation contexts for Live Art
• Inform regional and national policy and provision for Live Art
• Develop international exchanges of Live Art

From 1 April 2006, Live Art UK entered a new two-year programme of activity - Live Art UK:Into Action.

Into Action signposts a new series of Live Art UK projects including a strategic touring commission, international field trips, a critical writing initiative and an annual networking event for promoters interested in Live Art across the UK.

Into Action is financially assisted by Arts Council England.

Live Art UK background

Live Art UK has developed from the National Live Art Promoters Forum which operated on an informal basis since 1998. The first meetings were held to provide an opportunity for promoters of Live Art to meet and talk about current and future projects. During this early stage the group was unnamed and highly informal - brought together by ad hoc emails and word of mouth.

In January 2003, Live Art UK began a two year action research project which explored new models and partnerships for the promotion of Live Art; developed new ways to increase the national and international visibility of Live Art; and initiatiated strategies for a more sustainable future for Live Art practitioners and promoters. The Live Art UK action research project aimed to develop a representative voice for the Live Art sector in the UK and act as a point of contact for national and international artists and promoters wishing to find out more about Live Art in the UK. The action research project was supported by Arts Council England through the National Promoters Development Fund.

The Live Art UK action research project has, through dialogue, debate, collaboration and continuous evaluation clarified what Live Art UK is, what it can achieve and how it can play a critical role in development of Live Art in the UK in future.

The Live Art UK action research project found that:

• it makes sense to work together. Individual members of Live Art UK bring distinct roles and strengths to the collective, and through the combining of these skills and approaches, the collective facilitates and supports most aspects of the Live Art sector.
• a stable infrastructure is essential for the health and growth of the Live Art sector.
• there is a demonstrable need for a representative voice at all levels.
• there is a willingness to engage and collaborate with Live Art UK within Arts Council England, other networks and other agencies, and amongst international partners.
• there are common goals amongst Live Art UK partners and an enthusiasm to dialogue, share and collaborate
• Live Art UK should continue beyond its pilot phase.