Overview

Artist mobility is of increasing importance for the development of an artist’s professional career. Such mobility not only opens doors to new cultural experiences, but also assists in establishing networks, reaching new audiences and gaining access to art distribution channels in international markets. UNESCO supports artist mobility through programmes such as the UNESCO-Aschberg Artist in Residence Bursaries, which, in partnership with art residencies provides international bursaries to artists from around the world. In more recent years, UNESCO has noted an increase in participation of artists from the MENA region. Additionally, UNESCO develops standard-setting instruments such as the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, a legally binding instrument that signatory Member States have committed to implementing. This Convention recognises the important contribution of artists and cultural communities in nurturing the diversity of cultural expressions. UNESCO aims to assist member states in developing cultural policy frameworks that include international cooperation to help promote the mobility of artists, as well as the flow of cultural goods and services, particularly from the global South.