Mission Statement

Culture is Europe’s most powerful connector – a living expression of shared values, creativity and cooperation that transcends borders.Yet the current barriers to UK-EU touring are weakening that connection. Arrangements put in place following the UK’s exit from the EU are not working. They are failing artists, audiences and venues, as well as harming growth, damaging revenues and undermining the influence cultural exchange has long delivered. We are a coalition of people and organisations from across the UK and EU who create, support and sustain culture and creativity. From artists and technical crews to businesses and representative organisations. In response to the UK-EU Summit 2025 we created the Cultural Exchange Coalition to support and promote the huge shared benefits of cross-border cultural collaboration.The Common Understanding agreed in 2025 by the UK and the EU sets out a joint commitment to support cultural exchange. We call on political leaders to deliver on this commitment and negotiate to remove the barriers hampering the cultural exchange which is vital to our creative communities, our economies and our citizens. This is an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate leadership: to show that Europe and the UK remain open, outward looking and confident in its cultural power.