Cross-Border Collaborations in the Performing Arts
As part of the Performing Arts Coalition (PAC), EFA supports new research on Cross-Border Collaborations in the Performing Arts, highlighting key funding gaps and proposing ways to strengthen and sustain international collaboration.
This policy paper highlights the most pressing gaps in current funding systems, as well as the types of support most urgently required. The paper offers recommendations on how international collaboration can be reimagined, strengthened, and sustained in the context of the world as it stands in 2026.
With a focus on Europe – and in particular on the EU’s future programme for the cultural and creative sectors, AgoraEU (the Creative Europe-Culture strand), proposed by the European Commission as part of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 – this document puts forward both visionary and practical ideas on how EU cultural funding can play a transformative role in advancing global cultural engagement, solidarity, and exchange.
This document draws on insights from 153 members of five international performing arts networks that initiated the Performing Arts Coalition (PAC).
About the Performing Arts Coalition
The Performing Arts Coalition (PAC) is a platform for European and international performing arts networks to collaborate on advocacy for the performing arts, conducting joint actions and research, exchanging knowledge, and pooling resources. Our mission is to strengthen the role of the performing arts in society by advocating for policies that recognise their unique value. PAC was founded in 2025 by ASSITEJ - International Association of Theatre and Performing Arts for Children and Young Audiences, Circostrada - European Network for contemporary circus and outdoor arts, EDN - European Dance Development Network, EFA - European Festivals Association, and IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts. The joint membership of the networks is based in over 90 countries of the world counting over a thousand of organisations and professionals.