At a moment of continued uncertainty, EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture) brings together independent performance festivals from across the UK and mainland Europe and invites them to rip up the festival rule book as they explore what the future of producing festivals will look like.

Imagining Futures connects nimble and adventurous festivals and fosters collaboration within the sector. It aims to spark new connections, support artistic development and encourage porous, international dialogue at a time when barriers seem to be increasing.

Across a series of online gatherings, the festivals will discuss the most urgent themes impacting on artistic choices and festival logistics and explore innovative formats for the future.

As part of Imagining Futures, the festivals will have funding to initiate collaborative, experimental commissions that respond to the shared values and emergent themes being discussed. The commissioning process will take place between July – November 2021.

The network includes festival leaders from 5 UK festivals and 5 festivals from EU countries as a core group. A further 4 festivals from EU countries are also involved as associates, alongside London-based cultural institutes.