Applications are now open for the 2024 British Council Biennials Connect Grants. The Biennials Connect Grants support visual artists to participate in UK and international festivals and biennials. The grants directly benefit artists by facilitating opportunities for travel, the production of new work, networking, skills building and showcasing. The programme also promotes cross-cultural exchange by providing opportunities for artists and biennials to connect, collaborate and build meaningful partnerships across the globe.

Eligible biennials/festivals can apply for grants of up to £5,000 and £10,000 to support visual artists’ participation in their festival. 

Requirements

Organisations applying must:

  • Be either:

> UK biennials or festivals supporting international visual artists’ participation,
> international biennials or festivals supporting visual artists’ participation from the UK,
> or other visual arts organisations collaborating with a biennial/festival.

  • Be based in UK or an eligible international country (please see eligible countries below).
  • Be primarily a visual art biennial or festival. Multi-arts biennials and festivals can apply but they must demonstrate a focus on visual arts within their programme.
  • Be supporting artists over the age of 18. If artist travel is included in the project, the artists must be able to travel internationally on valid passports (organisations must arrange travel, transport, accommodations, insurance and visas themselves). 
  • Be supporting artists you have either not previously worked with or supporting new projects with artists you have worked with before.

Middle East and North Africa:  Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia

Sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zimbabwe 

This grant is for biennial and festival organisations to specifically support travel, artwork production, networking, professional development, skills building activities, or public programmes for artists such as residencies and events. Activity may take place online and/or in person. There is an additional £2,500 available for those who need special access requirements.

Grants available

Apply for up to £10,000:
UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists and/or organisations based in ODA* countries
International biennials/festivals based in ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists and/or organisations in the UK 
Apply for up to £5,000:
UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists and/or organisations based in non-ODA* countries
International biennials/festivals based in non-ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists and/or organisations in the UK

*International biennials/festivals must be based in eligible countries.

Program Details

  • The core activity or biennial/festival presentation may take from February 2025.
  • The final activity and evaluation must take place before March 2026.
  • Project proposals should have a timeline ending no later than March 2026.

Method of Application

For More Information,

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: 22 September 2024, 23:59 British Summer Time.