Request for Proposal – Arts & Technologies Sector Mapping in Mainland China

Outcome One: Articulating the art & technology in Mainland China

• An overview of creative practice at the intersection of arts & technologies in Mainland China, and the ecosystem that allows for it to take place.
• Case studies that evidence the impact that creative practice at the intersection of arts & technology has, both within the arts & across areas (tech industry, social engagement / activism, tourism, etc)
• A list of current venues, institutions, and partners exhibiting arts & technologies work in China

Outcome Two: Ecosystem

• A map of the arts & technologies ecosystem in Mainland China
• Identification of under-represented communities and voices in the arts & technologies ecosystem in Mainland China

Outcome Three: Identifying opportunities for international collaboration

• Identification of opportunities to support stronger relations between the arts & technologies ecosystem in the UK and in Mainland China

• British Council: A resource for British Council teams designing programme at the intersection of arts & technologies in Mainland China, and for evidencing to senior leadership the value and insight informing programme.
• UK arts & technologies practitioners: A resource for practitioners in the UK seeking to work with practitioners in Mainland China.
• Mainland China arts & technologies practitioners: A resource for practitioners in Mainland China seeking to better understand an emergent area of practice.
• Policy, tech & academia: A resource to inform interventions and support of the arts & technology ecosystem by actors in policy, tech, and & academia, alongside a means to advocate for the importance of the sector.

Stage 1: Surfacing insights

• What:

1. Desk research: Desk research mapping a diverse range of art genres and the impact of technology on the arts and art practitioners, identifying where distinct communities of practice have emerged at the intersection of arts & technologies, and the online and physical convening spaces for those communities.
2. Expert Interviews: Interviews with experts from tech industry, arts and cultural sectors. Interviewees identified through desk research, audio recorded and transcribed.
3. Roundtables (3 x 2hr sessions): Three 2-hour roundtables in person (Shanghai and Beijing) and one 2 hour round table online. Participants identified through desk research and expert interviews. Key stakeholders not able to attend the round tables will be engaged with in the form of 1:1 interviews. Roundtables must also be audio recorded and transcribed.

• Objectives

1. Develop set of insights in response to RQs 1-2. Insights should be summarized as high-level written insights, case studies, and an ecosystem diagram.
2. Increase the British Council’s presence as part of that arts & technologies community in Mainland China, and support British Council staff learning and insight.

Stage 2: Analysis

• Transcription and coding of roundtable audio
• Identification of key insights (themes, actors, ecosystems, and opportunities for international collaboration)
• Selection of case studies and quotes to support key insights and provide richness and specificity to the report

Stage 3: Review

• Participant review: Circulation and review with roundtable participants and expert interviewees
• Peer review: Peer review with 2-3 key stakeholders, that did not participate in the research

The British Council China Arts Team in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai will provide some support in terms of key organisations and background information. This background will not be exhaustive, and we expect those tendering to complete independent desk research too.

The team will also support with coordination of roundtables at the British Council China offices.

 All applications will be evaluated by the British Council based on the following criteria and weighting:

• We would like to centre the arts and explore the wider ecosystem in relation to the artists – curators, galleries, venues, festivals, technology companies – software/ hardware/ platforms, patrons, and larger institutions (cultural/ state etc).
• We would like to map across the art genres – to include performing arts, music, visual arts, design, architecture (including crafts), literature and film to look at how artists are responding to and adapting technology in their practice – not limiting to artists that identify as digital artists whose medium is primarily digital – such as VR/ AR/ NFT/ AI etc.
• In essence we are hoping to include voices from the periphery as well as the centre of the emerging sector. Geographically we would like to go wider than the tier 1 cities, and be as inclusive as possible, and include a sample across Chinese provinces and geographies.
• We would like to analyse the Gender issues (women and gender minorities) in the ecosystem, including but not limited to their employability (particularly in decision making roles).
• We would also like to gain an understanding of how actors in the arts and technologies ecosystem are considering the sustainability of technologies, including the environmental and labour resources associated with their development and use.