British Council China is seeking a specialist consultant to deliver a project that assesses our current work and identifies future opportunities in the area of Arts and Disability in Mainland China.
Disability Arts - a catalyst for change
“I would like to talk about the arts from the perspective of Disability Arts, which has now become a recognised cultural genre in promoting the lived experience of disability. This work has relevance not only for disabled or Deaf people, it is increasingly attracting interest from wider audiences of all ages. Disability Arts creates work that counteracts misunderstandings, misconceptions, stereotypes and negative narratives surrounding the lives of disabled people. Its strength is that it is created by disabled and Deaf people, artists and creatives. From the truth of the lived experience of disability they are producing captivating, remarkable, exciting and contemporary art. Indeed as Yinka Shonibare states Disability Arts ‘is the last Avant Garde’…”
- Ruth Gould (DaDaFest)
https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/culture-development/our-stories/disa...
Specialist Consultancy Brief: Disability Arts Review and Scoping in China
As part of our 2023-25 Culture Responds to Shared Global Challenges in China, we are developing the next phase of our work in the area of Arts and Disability in China, and we are seeking a specialist to work with us to review and assess our work to date, make some recommendations on our next steps, provide some practical insight and identify potential partners.
Through this work, we also hope to gain an understanding of the appetite in China to:
- showcase UK disabled artists work and/or
- support disabled artists in mainland China and/or a more inclusive sector
- collaborate with UK disabled artists, disabled-led companies, inclusive arts organisations, and/or
- partner or fund arts and disability projects.
Scope of Work
We expect that the review will go beyond desk research, it will delve more deeply in the Chinese cultural sector through interviews and discussions with Deaf and disabled artists and practitioners, cultural organisations including museums, performing arts venues and festivals and individuals with an interest in this work.
We welcome proposals but expect the individual or organisation will:
- carry out a literature review of the British Council China’s work to date, the British Council approach to Disability Arts internationally and talk to key internal stakeholders;
- talk to key external stakeholders in mainland China, understand their context and discuss the needs and expectation locally;
- attend the British Council China’s flagship Disability Arts Forum in December to experience our current offer and meet key stakeholders;
- provide strategic and practical recommendations which outline the potential of Disability Arts work in mainland China, which align with British Council’s priorities and cultural relations mission;
- share outcomes from the review and scoping stage with the British Council for further discussion;
- propose and deliver an activity/s to further explore some of the recommendations emerging from the report;
- work with Head of Arts to identify potential partners and funders in mainland China and beyond;
Details of the deliverables can be found in the full document of this RFP, available to download at bottom of this webpage.
Timeline
Deadline application | 2pm (GMT+8), 12 November 2023 |
Contract Starts by | 30 November 2023 |
2/3 of the project finish by | 25 March 2024 |
Full project finish by | 24 June 2024 |
Budget
The allocated budget for the specialist is up to RMB ¥266,400 / GBP £30,000, tax inclusive *
- This is the total budget, including travel costs, interview expenses and all other out-of-pocket expenses.
Tender proposal
Following the British Council’s procurement requirement, there will be a tender process of this project. Those wishing to express an interest in this project shall prepare tender response for the consideration of The British Council.
- A proposal of the project delivery plan, including detailing a timeline, budget and your biography and relevant experience (and that of your team or external experts if relevant, include URL links of work and published reports) etc. The proposal should be in English.
- We expect to receive proposals from competent individuals or organisations with:
- Strong evidence of past experience in conducting review, mapping, and programme development work research within the arts and creative sector;
- At least 5 years’ experience of working in / with China, demonstrating strong network in the arts and creative sector in China;
- Extensive knowledge and understanding around the topic of arts and disability in the UK, demonstrating insights of the current trends of disability arts in China;
- Evidence of company culture which champions equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Mandarin speaker as lead interviewer and collaborator with Chinese stakeholders
All documents required as part of your Proposal should be submitted to Arts@britishcouncil.org.cn with “Arts and Disabilities in China Review and Scoping” in the subject line, by the Response Deadline as set out in the Timescales section of this RFP.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the project before submitting your proposal, please contact Dani Wu on dani.wu@britishcouncil.org.cn