How Cultural Diplomacy Creates Opportunities for Ghanaian Artists
Embassies, cultural institutes and international organisations support exchanges, residencies, concerts and training. Artists who understand these programmes can gain audiences, collaborators and international experience.
Cultural diplomacy creates opportunities for Ghanaian artists because embassies, cultural institutes and international organisations fund and host exchanges, residencies, concerts, screenings, workshops and collaborations to build relationships between countries. Artists and organisations who understand these programmes, and can deliver professionally, gain international collaborators, audiences, training and credibility.
What cultural diplomacy is
Governments and international organisations use culture to build understanding and relationships with other countries. In practice, that means supporting artists, exchanges and events that connect cultures. For Ghanaian artists, these programmes can be a route to experiences that would otherwise be hard to access.
The kinds of opportunities
- Concerts and performances hosted or supported by embassies and cultural institutes
- Artist exchanges and residencies abroad or in Ghana
- Collaborations with visiting artists
- Workshops and masterclasses with international experts
- Film screenings, festivals and exhibitions
- Research and documentation projects
Examples from PR369's work
- The Swiss-Ghana Jazz Experience for HEMU in Switzerland included cultural exchange coordination, a concert with Alliance Française and the Swiss Embassy, and a documentary film.
- PR369 was the Ghana-based production partner for the HEMU/HES-SO research project Traditional Ghanaian Rhythms, whose recordings contributed to educational resources for musicians, educators and students internationally.
- The Black Star International Film Festival case study notes EU and British Council support.
- PR369 supported the Ghana visit of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
How artists can prepare
- Have professional materials ready: biography, press kit, live recordings and photographs. See what an artist press kit should include.
- Follow the institutions: many publish calls for applications and programmes.
- Build relationships: attend cultural events and get to know cultural attachés and programme managers.
- Deliver professionally: reliability leads to repeat invitations.
- Document and share the work: exchanges create stories and content.
How organisations can partner
Festivals, venues and producers can propose projects that align with an institution's priorities. See how to build partnerships with embassies and cultural institutes and how to run an international cultural exchange project.
Make it last
The best exchanges create ongoing relationships: return visits, joint projects and new audiences on both sides. See how to take a Ghanaian release to international listeners.
PR369's Brand Integration and Partnerships service develops cultural partnerships and collaborative projects. Email info@pr369.com with your project or artist. We will begin with a strategy conversation.
