The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs creates long-lasting ties between the United States and other countries by providing Americans with access to international artists, while sharing America's rich culture of performing and visual arts with international audiences.

Programs
+

American Arts Incubators

American Arts Incubator, launched in 2014, uses new media and digital arts as a means for engaging youth, artists, and underserved community members in strategic regions around the world to advance U.S. foreign policy by addressing a local community issue, such as conflict resolution, social inclusion, the environment and women’s empowerment.

+

American Film Showcase

The American Film Showcase brings award-winning contemporary American films to audiences around the world to offer a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers.

+

American Music Abroad

American Music Abroad artists represent the new generation of musical ambassadors, reaching beyond concert halls to interact with other musicians and the general public.

+

Arts Envoy Program

The Arts Envoy Program shares the best of the U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration and to demonstrate shared values and aspirations.

+

Biennales

The Department of State supports the official U.S. participation at select international art exhibitions called biennales.

+

CenterStage

CenterStage brings international performing artists in dance, music and theater to the U.S. to develop and manage month-long tours complemented by lectures, demonstrations, and artist-to-artist exchanges.

+

Communities Connecting Heritage

Communities Connecting Heritage links U.S. and international institutions focused on cultural heritage.  The program pairs cultural/academic institutions in the United States with partners abroad for a cross-cultural exchange that brings communities, especially youth and the underserved, together to explore tangible and intangible cultural heritage topics through innovative, community-based projects.  More information can be found at Communities Connecting Heritage.

+

Global Media Makers

Global Media Makers is an innovative mentoring initiative that connects international visual storytellers with leading U.S. entertainment professionals in a five-week residency that includes filmmaker education, business training and professional networking opportunities.  Mentorships continue after the U.S. program and include workshops that are offered to local filmmaking communities. The program supports conceptual development of independent and authentic content and fosters creative cross-pollination among international and U.S. storytellers.  More information can be found at Global Media Makers.

+

 International Writing Program (IWP)

The renowned International Writing Program (IWP) brings together international rising and established literary stars in a three-month residency that explores the creative process and the power of storytelling.

+

Next Level

Next Level designs and implements a hip hop and conflict transformation program which includes two-week residencies in priority countries for multi-disciplinary, collaborative teams of U.S. artist-educators who work with youth, teachers and local artists.  Next Level also includes a two-week U.S. professional development follow-on program for international artists from the residencies. 

+

OneBeat

OneBeat is an international music exchange that celebrates musical collaboration and social engagement through innovative people-to-people diplomacy. Musicians (ages 19-35) from around the world come together in the U.S. for four weeks to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop ways that music can make a positive impact on our local and global communities.


GALLERY


Latest Conversations

Get to Know Us

Whether you're new to working with ECA, or just want to get to know us better, come learn about our mission, history, leadership, and more.

Learn more

DanceMotion USA

A cross-cultural exchange partnership between BAM and the US Dept. of State from 2010-2018.

Learn more