I’m here in Sweden at Subtopia for CASA, a European co-operation project co-financed by Creative Europe.

A throng of 18 talented Swedish and Finnish artists met today for an intensive workshop on how to develop their work beyond the Nordic region to wider international markets.

As guest speakers, myself and Magnus Nordberg moderated by Yohann Floch from FACE,  provided strategy, tools, practical examples and essential tips on how and who to approach to expand their international opportunities. CASA aims to develop the potential of Circus and Street Arts to a higher international level and this was the first workshop in a two year programme that will extend to the Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain and Finland.

The workshop was designed to interrogate and push ideas. From the artists, there was a mixture of ideas that ranged from the inspirational, to the ambitious, fragile and the brave. We all responded to their written dossiers, pictures and films with positive criticism, delight and a few helpful truths. One of the pleasures of collaborating with European partners is the constant exposure to artistic innovation. Companies beaver away within their own cultural framework in unique ways that then take us by surprise. Sweden is no exception and it was a joy to take part.

One unexpected encounter was bumping into Karol, a Catalan artist from Subliminati Corporation, who I spotted in the Subtopia dining hall on a lunchtime break from a residency in preparation for his new show…very excited to hear about this.

Another, unexpected, highlight of the trip was the Scandinavian Airlines’ cabin crew singing Dream A Little Dream of Me in harmony as we landed in Sweden – not quite as good as Doris Day but a delightful surprise which earned them a round of applause from the passengers.

This trip follows on the back of Crying Out Loud’s recent visit to Preston for the presentation of Fuel’s very stimulating New Theatre In Your Neighbourhood project; a visit to Hull for the annual ISAN conference; an outing with Circus Evolution to the Hippodrome in Douai near Lille for a preview for the lovely Uproar 5, a new show by Raphaëlle Boitel and a day trip to Newbury for the work in progress for Alice Allart’s These Books Are Made For Walking.

We are now baking for our BreaXmas bake off.

Rachel Clare

Artistic Director

Crying Out Loud

Photo: Water on Mars by Einar Kling Odencrants