Cultural Exchange, UK – USA – Iraq-Kurdistan
2007-2009
ArtRole is running a cultural exchange programme between UK, USA and Kurdistan-Iraq, developed in three phases:
Phase 1:Kurdish Contemporary Art and Culture from Iraq
Phase 2:British and American contemporary artists visiting Kurdistan/ Iraq
Phase 3:Exhibitions, residencies and presentations
Funded and supported by:
British Council
Arts Council England (Yorkshire)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
and in collaboration with the Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq
Knowledge in the UK of Kurdish-Iraqi culture and indeed the broader heritage of the Middle East is little known. This cultural exchange programme, comprising visits, lectures, presentations and exhibitions is one of the first opportunities for a UK audience and British artists to get introduced to Kurdish-Iraqi culture, as well as its contemporary art scene and to broaden their awareness of modern culture in Iraq away from the dominant reporting of conflict and deprivation. The project also provides the Kurdish-Iraqi artists, public and art institutions with extensive access to British culture and contemporary art, developing a better understanding.