what is x.trax

XTRAX Arts Ltd was established in 2001 as a vehicle for the development and delivery of the XTRAX showcase festival of outdoor performance. It has developed into a dynamic organization delivering a range of activities and events in the performing arts sector. In addition to its work in the outdoor sector XTRAX has specialist knowledge of promoting and supporting culturally diverse and disabled artists, developing international partnerships and commissioning ambitious outdoor projects.

PaBoom (Photo by Paul Herrmann)
Union Dance

40 x 10 - Carnival Consortium
Union Dance

Da Da Dang

Showcases and Events

XTRAX has 10 years extensive experience programming, managing, delivering and evaluating showcases, festivals and a range of events designed to promote and develop the work of selected performing artists. With an international reputation for delivering high quality events XTRAX attracts delegates from across the UK and worldwide. XTRAX has produced the following showcases and festivals:

XTRAX Showcase of outdoor performance, Manchester
We have delivered 8 XTRAX showcase's, an internationally renowned showcase of outdoor arts, regarded as one of the most important outdoor showcase festivals in Europe regularly attracting promoters and delegates from all over the world.

Mintfest, Kendal
XTRAX has delivered 3 showcases of outdoor performance in association with Kendal Arts International as part of the Mintfest festival in Kendal in August 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Urban Moves showcase of outdoor dance, Manchester
XTRAX worked with Dance Initiative Greater Manchester to deliver showcase opportunities for outdoor dance companies alongside the Urban Moves Dance Festival 2008. This event was so successful that XTRAX is being re-commissioned by Urban Moves to work on the next edition in 2010.

Decibel Performing Arts Showcase, Manchester
XTRAX has delivered 3 showcases of culturally diverse performance for Arts Council England. The model for this event was devised by XTRAX for decibel's agenda to support artists of African, Asian and Caribbean origin and has now been expanded to focus also on disabled artists.

Platform 4 Piccadilly, outdoor festivals, Manchester
XTRAX launched Platform 4 Piccadilly in 2007, a biennial outdoor festival in Manchester City Centre with a focus on new diverse work by British Artists. The 2009 edition was nominated for a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Special Entertainment.

For more detailed information on previous events delivered by XTRAX please visit past events

Consultancy Services

XTRAX provides bespoke support services for a range of clients:

Consultancy and programming
XTRAX offers programming and event consultancy services to a range of clients. Recent projects have included Programme Consultancy for Birmingham Hippodrome on outdoor programming and programming of On The Waterfront festival of outdoor dance in Liverpool August 6-8th 2010.

Research projects
With extensive experience in the outdoor sector, XTRAX is recognised as being well positioned to produce research and analysis projects. Previous clients have included the National Association of Street Artists and the Independent Street Artists Network.

Supporting Artists

Commissioning and producing
XTRAX has produced and commissioned several new pieces of outdoor work. XTRAX is a founder member of the Without Walls consortium, a partnership of outdoor festivals established in 2007 with a view to supporting and developing new outdoor work from a new generation of British artists. The work of the consortium has included commissioning work by over 20 artists across the country some of who are new to street arts. XTRAX has taken a lead role on the development of work by many of these companies, in some cases working with the company from the initial ideas stage through to delivery.

Advocacy support to disabled and diverse artists
XTRAX' broad experience and excellent reputation in supporting artists has led to the company being invited by Arts Council England and the Independent Street Arts Network (ISAN) to devise two specific advocacy programmes for culturally diverse artists and disabled artists respectively.

Advice and networking
XTRAX runs networking meetings for artists in the outdoor arts sector and offers development support to companies who want to create new outdoor work. Artists who have previously received mentoring support include Company Fierce, Wired Aerial Theatre and Bootworks.

www.xtrax.org.uk
XTRAX' work is reflected and enhanced by its much visited website which includes an online showcase, ensuring year round promotion of the work of hundreds of artists to an international audience

XTRAX is a Regularly Funded Organisation of Arts Council England, is project funded by Manchester City Council and works with a wide range of national and regional partners and sponsors throughout the year.