Special Envoy
A new model for sustainable international cultural exchange
Special Envoy is a pioneering model for international collaboration that replaces long-haul travel with boots on the ground.
Developed by In Between Time in partnership with pvi collective and the Australian Performing Arts Market, the programme replaces “fly-in fly-out” cultural networking with embedded local representatives: artists and cultural professionals already based in the host country who work on behalf of international partners.
Combining local presence with remote collaboration, Special Envoy offers a practical, tested response to the climate emergency while creating more equitable, accessible and sustainable ways of working internationally.
The Pilot
The model was first tested at the Australian Performing Arts Market in Melbourne in 2023.
Rather than flying internationally, IBT redirected travel funding to commission an Australian artist to act as its Special Envoy. Working closely with the IBT team remotely, the envoy attended performances, held meetings and facilitated conversations throughout the market.
The pilot demonstrated:
- A 100% reduction in long-haul travel emissions
- Strong sector appetite for alternative mobility models
- New pathways for access and participation
- Opportunities for deeper and longer-term international collaboration
The programme has since expanded through pilot activity with festivals, artists and presenters across the UK and Australia, supported by Creative Australia, British Council and Arts Council England.
Who It’s For
Special Envoy is designed for:
- Festivals and international arts markets
- Presenters and cultural organisations
- Artists and producers developing international partnerships
- Freelance cultural workers and curators
- Disabled artists, carers and practitioners facing barriers to travel
The programme centres environmental responsibility, access and equity — opening international exchange to a wider and more diverse community of practitioners.
Why Special Envoy?
International arts markets are essential spaces for building relationships, commissioning work and developing tours — but they also come with significant environmental and financial costs, alongside barriers for many artists and cultural workers.
Special Envoy asks a simple but urgent question:
How can international collaboration remain vibrant while radically reducing travel and widening access?
Instead of organisations travelling internationally for short, intensive meetings, a trusted artist or cultural professional already located within the host country attends on their behalf — participating in performances, meetings and conversations while remaining connected remotely with the wider team.
The result is a slower, more relational and environmentally responsible approach to international exchange — one that values long-term collaboration over transactional networking.
Get Involved
We are currently seeking new partners to help shape the next phase of Special Envoy between 2027–2029.
There are opportunities to:
- Host Special Envoy strands within festivals and markets
- Pilot international envoy exchanges
- Develop new commissioning and touring partnerships
- Collaborate on research, evaluation and advocacy
- Explore alternative models of sustainable cultural mobility
Special Envoy is an invitation to rethink how international cultural exchange can work in a climate-conscious future.
If your organisation is interested in developing more sustainable and inclusive international partnerships, we would love to hear from you.
For partnership and presentation enquiries, please get in touch.