Concept Touring

In 2025, caravan (Farnham, England) and ILT Festival (Aarhus, Denmark) produced a Collaborative Learning Initiative on the topic of 'concept touring,' a term developed by LIFT Festival. The project brought together 10 performing artists and companies from England and Denmark to explore innovative, environmentally responsible ways to share their work internationally – without the need for excessive travel.

As the climate crisis reshapes the way we live, work and create, this initiative, supported by Arts Council England, Arts Council Norway, Julie's Bicycle and the Danish Arts Foundation, offered an opportunity to challenge conventional touring models and experiment with bold alternatives. Participants embarked on an exploratory journey guided by leading thinkers from various industries. Together, they generated fresh ideas and conversations for creating meaningful international connections while reducing our carbon footprint.

Over four months, the selected participants engaged in online workshops and seminars, and reflected on and evolved their practice in a supportive, collaborative space. Funding of £650 GBP per participant offered financial support and the time to focus on exploring new concepts that aligned with, and developed, their artistic practice.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a final seminar at ILT Festival in Aarhus, Denmark (virtually or in person), to share their insights, discoveries and potential new frameworks for the future of international touring with the wider sector.

Concept Touring offered a unique opportunity for artists and performance makers to reimagine how they engage with international audiences, and help shape a more sustainable, forward-thinking future for the performing arts.

This initiative was one of five projects in 2024-25 that were funded by the International Touring and Environmental Responsibility (ITER) programme

A Danish version of this project information is on ILT's website.

Main image by Alice Laloy for ILT's Pinocchio exhibition