Our Mission
We believe that collaboration across cultures and creative practices leads to richer ideas, stronger partnerships and more meaningful artistic experiences.
Whether working in theatres, schools or community settings, every project is developed in partnership, bringing together artists, educators and communities to exchange skills, share perspectives and create ambitious new work.
Our work spans new opera, artist development, creative residencies and international partnerships. Rather than delivering one-off projects, we aim to build long-term relationships that support creative talent and strengthen cultural exchange across borders.
Project partners
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The Rain Show
From Kenya to the world
The Rain Show brought together artists from Kenya and the UK to create a new participatory children's opera inspired by Kenyan stories, landscapes and music.
Commissioned by Across Arts and co-produced with Baraka Opera Kenya and Tête à Tête, the project toured nine UK primary schools in 2026, engaging hundreds of children through performances and curriculum-linked workshops.
Alongside the tour, Across Arts established partnerships between schools in the UK and Kenya, creating opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange and shared learning.
ABOUT
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Help Create What's Next
Every donation helps us develop ambitious new projects, support artists and create opportunities for communities to experience exceptional performance, education and cultural exchange.
Whether you choose to give once or support us regularly, you'll help us to create work that connects people across cultures.
We're currently developing the next chapter of Across Arts. If you'd like to find out more about what's ahead, we'd love to hear from you.
Led by Helene Mathiesen
Helene Mathiesen is an opera producer specialising in new work, international collaboration and community-engaged performance. She has worked with organisations including Britten Pears Arts, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Gothic Opera and Tête à Tête, producing projects ranging from large-scale productions to international cultural exchanges and community-led education projects.
Her work is driven by a belief that opera and theatre have the power to bring people together across cultures, disciplines and communities. Passionate about collaboration, she develops projects that place artists and participants at the heart of the creative process.
Drawing on experience across large-scale productions, new opera and international collaborations, Helene founded Across Arts to create ambitious performance, education and cultural exchange programmes that connect artists and communities across borders.
Get in Touch
Interested in collaborating, supporting our work or simply finding out more? We'd love to hear from you.
Founded in 2025, Across Arts a UK registered community interest company. Based in London, working internationally.
Helenemathiesen1@gmail.com