British Council Holds Celebration of Inclusive Art Collaboration between Great Britain and Indonesia

The title of the UK-Indonesia Inclusive Art Collaboration Celebration (Doc. British Council)

JAKARTA - The screening of the famous ballet performance Giselle by Akram Khan from the English National Ballet, became an inclusive art performance at Taman Ismail Marzuki on December 9, 2025. This performance was held to commemorate International Disability Day. This event highlights how creative exchanges create greater opportunities for artists, cultural practitioners, and creative communities in both countries.

This work is presented by the Indonesian dancer Arif Setyo Budi (Arif Onelegz) and the British dancer Lauren Russell. The Connections Through Culture (CTC) program, initiated by the British Council, aims to build relationships and collaborations between artists, creative practitioners, and art institutions from the UK and Indonesia. Through this grant, many Indonesian artists have had the opportunity to network internationally and collaborate on innovative projects.

Some of them even get the opportunity to showcase their works in England such as artist Melati Suryodarmo who held an exhibition titled "Passionate Pilgrim" at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham in 2023, paving the way for Indonesian talents to gain recognition on the global stage and enriching the cultural dialogue between the two countries.

"Through programs such as Connections Through Culture, we are committed to deepening the relationship between the creative sectors of both countries, strengthening networks, and promoting inclusive cultural exchange that benefits artists and society," said Summer Xia, Director of the British Council for Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

"This event captures the essence of the mission. Arif and Lauren are connected not because of one project, but because of a collaborative ecosystem that continues to live even after a grant program ends. This is our goal: to build inter-individual relationships that grow prosperity, inspire innovation, and foster mutual understanding. "

The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Giring Ganesha, and the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Irene Umar, which signified the strong commitment of the Indonesian government to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors.