Green Man has drawn on its international connections to create a residential collaboration in outdoor arts in Wales. 22 emerging artists and leading producers from across the UK and Ireland met in Brecon, placing Mid Wales at the centre of a significant creative exchange.

Produced by Green Man, the 4 Nations Residency is a unique collaboration between leading festivals and arts organisations in each of the devolved nations: Surge Festival and Articulations (Scotland), Spraoi Festival and ISACS (Ireland), BD Festival and Bradford Producing Hub (England), and Green Man and Green Man Trust (Cymru).

Green Man’s MD and Owner, Fiona Stewart, commented on why this initiative wasn’t held in a usual urban setting for projects like these. She said: “Green Man is a Powys organisation and bringing this to Brecon, which is both a wonderful town and very close to us, is not only a natural choice but a delight. We have had a level of success attracting Welsh and international arts to rural Mid Wales for the last 24 years, and seen how arts engagement with diverse groups improves the work and the audience experience.’

This is the first time the 4 Nations Residency has taken place in Wales, and by hosting it in Brecon, further develops Green Man’s ambition to place rural Wales firmly on the international cultural map.

Brecon’s Theatr Brycheniog and the Muse were part of the engagement, and the initiative is supported by Creative Scotland, the Arts Council of Ireland, Arts Council England, and Arts Council Wales.

Over four days, artists and producers collaborated, developed new work, and shared ideas, culminating in a public showcase of works-in-progress in Brecon town centre. The residency welcomed key industry figures including Alan Richardson (Artistic Director, Surge Festival), Deirdre Dwyer (Programme Manager, Spraoi Festival), Laura Beddows (Senior Producer, BD Festival), Alison McIntyre (Visual Arts Instigator, Bradford Producing Hub), and Zoe Munn (Performing Arts Producer, Green Man Festival). Representatives from Arts Council Wales, Wales Arts International, and the British Council were also in attendance.

Green Man’s role reflects its deep-rooted commitment to the local community, developing a sense of place and its strong international reputation. With a global reach and a significant proportion of its audience travelling from outside Wales, the festival connects rural communities with international creative networks.

Green Man Festival annually brings artists and cultural leaders from across the globe to Wales. The Four Nations Residency extends this ambition and further demonstrates the value of hosting world-class creative development outside major urban centres. The initiative not only broadens access to high-quality cultural experiences but also contributes directly to the local economy, supporting businesses and strengthening Mid Wales’ cultural profile.The residency underscores how internationally connected cultural platforms can play a vital role in enabling ambitious, cross-border collaborations and ensuring that rural Wales can become an active and visible part of the global arts conversation.