Creative arts and culture : Opportunities abroad

What are my chances of getting a job overseas?

• Performers, musicians, dancers, singers, stage technicians, writers and photographers all have transferable skills and are well placed to work abroad. International jobs range from working on cruise ships that employ versatile performers in a range of roles, to showing your jewellery or ceramics in an international crafts venue.
• Within the acting profession, shows can transfer from London to Broadway and take the original cast.
• Circus, mime and all forms of dance need no linguistic understanding and so overcome the usual barriers to working abroad.
• Music is an international discipline with its own language, and performers are familiar with scores in different languages.
• Orchestras, choirs, opera companies, soloist singers and bands tour frequently and also host visiting performers from other countries to the UK.
• The internet has also provided a platform for all those working in the creative sector to publicise and sell their work to a global audience.
• Visual artists can apply for an artist in residence position overseas. The artist creates their own work in return for sharing skills and passing on knowledge. They usually receive remuneration of some kind. Details of available residencies can be found at Wooloo .   

Will my qualifications be recognised?

Experience is easily transferable and can be proven with a robust portfolio.

If you do have a qualification for one of the more specialised careers (e.g. art therapy) and you are wanting to work elsewhere in Europe, you can obtain advice on how your qualification equates to those in your chosen country via the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .

Where are the opportunities?

• New Zealand has a diverse publishing industry which covers a variety of markets. Employers are looking to up-skill workers to take advantage of digital publishing. Film, television, music and digital media are all strong areas within New Zealand and the creative industries get support from the government through Creative New Zealand, the country’s Arts Council.
• India has an advancing creative and media industry due to a growth in the purchasing of entertainment products and the demands for creativity in business. India welcomes overseas expertise and technologies, especially those that add value to their products and increases their production efficiency.
• The creative industries are emerging in Hong Kong and the government has announced that the sector will become one of the six new pillars to help the country’s economy. Film, television, music, design, animation and digital entertainment have progressed well in Hong Kong and together they contribute around 4% of the country’s GDP. (UK Trade and Investment, 2011).
• Opportunities in China, Japan, France, Germany and America remain strong.      

For further information see country profiles, working abroad and graduate job search.