International Consultant - Freelance Brief - Leeds 2023

International
Consultant                                               Location: ODA Countries (see below)
                                                         Interview date: 16th or 17th September 2021
                                                         Contract type: Freelance
                                                         Fee: £10,000
Freelance Brief                                          Deadline: 8th September 2021, 8pm (BST)

LEEDS 2023: Year of Culture

LEEDS 2023 will be a landmark year of culture for the city and region. Our ambitious and ground-
breaking programme will transform people’s perceptions of Leeds, confirming it as an international
centre of cultural activity and cementing its reputation as a cultural giant in the world.

Showcasing creativity across all forms of culture, we will partner with local, national and
international artists, creatives and storytellers to deliver a series of world-class signature events
across the year. From dance to design, art to architecture, poetry to pop, sculpture to sport, there
will be something for everyone!

We are now looking to build our team and are on the look-out for talented people who share our
passion, enthusiasm and commitment to delivering a year of extraordinary experiences.

This is a freelance opportunity for an experienced researcher based outside of the UK, to
work with us on a British Council-funded project to research and scope the international
dimension of a major programme of work highlighting the crucial creative contributions of
overseas artists to the UK cultural landscape. This programme will facilitate further
intercultural dialogue and knowledge exchange, and develop new UK audiences for the
work of overseas artists.

We are looking for applicants based in the following eligible* countries and states:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Botswana, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica,
Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro,
Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Occupied Palestinian
Territories, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan,
Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela,
Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
*This opportunity has been made possible using Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funding, which is
government aid promoting and targeting the economic development and welfare of eligible developing
countries from the UK Government.

Brief

To research and produce a scoping study for the international dimension of a retrospective of work
by international artists that have influenced the UK’s cultural landscape including:

   -    Research and identify international artists and works of all art forms from the last 75 years
        that have influenced the UK’s cannon.
   -    Research and identify potential collaborating partners on a global scale who could take part
        in the retrospective.
   -    Research and identify international connections and significant moments from the last 75
        years that could be highlighted in the international dimension of the retrospective.
   -    Work alongside the Producer to design a commissioning framework for an international
        artist commission
   -    Work alongside the Producer to design a touring and co-production framework for the
        international dimension
   -    Participate in group meetings with artists, partners and colleagues also engaged in the
        development of the retrospective
   -    Generate a series of recommendations for the international dimension of the programme
        including artists, collections, archives, theatres and partnerships that could be collaborators
   -    Produce a scoping study highlighting insight gained through the research process,
        recommendations as a result of the research process and an outline of potential next steps
        to pursue the international dimension of the programme.

Timeline for delivery

1 Oct 2021            Kick off meeting
29 Oct 2021           Check in with LEEDS 2023
5 Nov 2021            Draft scoping study
12 Nov 2021           Feedback
26 Nov 2021           Final scoping study submission

This is an initial contract until December 2021 with the potential to extend dependent on funding
outcomes. It may be that there are further requirements not included above, which is only an initial
guideline to describe the brief, in order to deliver the study.

Person Specification

Essential

   -    Experience and knowledge of a range of arts and culture internationally
   -    Based in one of the ODA eligible countries (see list above)
   -    Research practice foregrounded in the creative and cultural industries
   -    Strong recording and archiving skills
   -    International relationships within the arts and creative industries
   -    Confident and skilled at communicating and engaging with a diverse mix of people including
        colleagues, strategic partners and artists
   -    Strong writing and presentational skills
   -    Ability to work to deadlines
   -    Self-motivated and enthusiastic
   -    A strong commitment to equality and diversity

-   A strong commitment to sustainability, and understanding of climate change agenda

Desirable

   -   Understanding of the UK’s cultural and creative sector
   -   Background in researching migration and its impact on the arts and cultural sectors
   -   Experience / understanding of the logistical requirements of international touring and
       presentation

Terms of the brief

Fee: £10,000 (flat rate)
Start date: As soon as possible
Completion: December 2021

The role is offered as a freelance position for an international consultant based in one of the
eligible ODA countries – we are actively seeking applications from people based outside of the
UK. Number of days and regularity of work will be determined by the person delivering the brief in
dialogue with LEEDS 2023. Some travel may be required but in light of restrictions due to
COVID-19 will be minimal.

Pre application

If you are interested in the role and have any questions please contact Emma Beverley on
emmabeverley@leeds2023.co.uk

How to apply

Deadline: 8th September 2021, 8pm (BST)

Please ensure that you have completed our diversity monitoring form before sending your
submission.

Then, submit your most up to date CV (no longer than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no longer than
2 pages) by 8th September 2021, 8pm (BST).

Send your submission to oliverreeves@leeds2023.co.uk with the subject line National
Retrospective Consultant Application.

Access and Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any access support during the application and interview process please let us know.

An audio described version of this application pack is available here.

If another format or application process would be more accessible for you, such as video, please
contact oliverreeves@leeds2023.co.uk and we will make the appropriate arrangements.

If invited to interview we will ask you if you need any reasonable adjustments. The interview panel
will include a selection of LEEDS 2023 staff members and one external person. We will let you
know their names before the interview.

We may ask to see you again for a second interview. If this is the case we will aim to let you know
before the end of the week from your first interview to give you adequate preparation time.

Should you require access support in the workplace, we will work with you and Access to Work
where required to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace.

About LEEDS 2023

LEEDS 2023 will be a landmark year of culture for Leeds and the wider region. Starting on 1st
January 2023, it will be an extraordinary, year-long programme of creative experiences. Co-
created with local, national and international artists, LEEDS 2023 will be for Leeds, with Leeds and
inspired by Leeds.

A showcase of creativity across all forms of culture: from dance to design, art to architecture,
poetry to pop, sculpture to sport, grassroots community theatre to performances on our world
class stages, LEEDS 2023 will have something for everyone.

Fuelled by a belief in the power of artistic expression and cultural experiences to transform lives,
LEEDS 2023 will unlock talent and creative opportunities for people from every district in the city.

About British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational
opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other
countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. Last year we reached
over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online, broadcasts and
publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public
body. We receive a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.

www.britishcouncil.org