The International Touring and Environmental Responsibility (ITER) programme supports artists and cultural organisations to build and develop sustainable approaches to touring.
The programme is a partnership between Arts Council England, Arts and Culture Norway and the Danish Arts Foundation, and aims to foster new international collaborations and connections between the participating countries.
Julie’s Bicycle have designed and delivered three consecutive years of the ITER programme so far, bringing together and inspiring a network of artists and organisations who, through their engagement in the programme, are ready to test new ways of collaborating and sharing art internationally.
To date, 83 organisations and individual artists have taken part in the programme. Many are now leading the way by re-imagining conventional models of touring, putting environmental and social sustainability at the heart of what they do, and bringing important new learning to the sector.
Find out who has participated in this programme:
Cohort 1 Cohort 2 Cohort 3ITER Programme 2025-26
The 4th year of the programme will once more be designed and delivered by Julie’s Bicycle, this time in collaboration with Copenhagen-based in futurum. This year there is a new format to the programme, with both a ‘Beginners’ seminar programme and a ‘Changemakers’ programme, for those who are ready to take their touring and responsibility work to the next level. This initiative supports arts organisations in England, Denmark, and Norway in developing sustainable, inclusive, and equitable models for international touring.
Outcomes will be new and innovative models for international touring and collaboration, a network of ITER participants past and present, opportunities and events for knowledge sharing and case studies to share with the wider sector.
Case studies and Projects
- Case study: Deep Touring Model for Dance: Pavilion Dance South West and Aarhus Festival ask: Can we reframe environmental responsibility and justice as drivers for creative choices rather than limitations?
- Upcoming project: Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) continue their collaboration with Danish-based composer and sound artist Liv Vester Larsen (ITER Cohort 3), which began with COALFIELD to LANDSCAPE – the next part of their project, Merging takes place in Denmark in August 2025.
Join us at Manchester International Festival for a Live Event
Panel Discussion and Workshop
10th July at The Social, Aviva Studios, Manchester
Join Julie’s Bicycle, in futurum, and cultural practitioners from the UK, Danish and Norwegian arts sectors for a panel discussion and workshop as they discuss sustainable approaches to mobility, cultural exchange and global touring. Explore the possibilities of alternative touring models and how the arts can lead the way in reducing environmental impact while staying globally connected. There will also be an in-depth sustainable touring workshop to accompany the panel discussion.
Find out more