British Council Biennials Connect Grants 2024 for Visual Artists

Applications for the latest round of the British Council Biennials Connect Grants 2024 for Visual Artists are now open. This grant is for biennial and festival organizations to specifically support travel, artwork production, networking, professional development, skills-building activities, or public programs for artists such as residencies and events. Activity may take place online and/or in person.

The Biennials Connect Grants 2024 support visual artists to participate in UK and international festivals and biennials. The grants directly benefit artists by facilitating travel opportunities, the production of new work, networking, skills building, and showcasing. The program 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 festivals. Applications are welcome from UK biennials/festivals wanting to support contemporary international visual artists and from international biennials/festivals in selected countries wanting to support contemporary UK visual artists. This is the third round of the Biennials Connect Grants.

Grants will be paid in 2 installments. The first installment will be initiated when the grant agreement is countersigned. If all required paperwork is returned as requested, this should take place in November 2024. The second payment will be initiated in April 2025. There can be several weeks between when the payment is initiated and funding is received. This is due to payment terms and international transfer times.

Requirement and Eligibility Criteria for the British Council Biennials Connect Grants 2024 for Visual Artists:

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,
Other visual arts organizations collaborate with a biennial/festival.
Be based in the 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 (organizations 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.
International biennials/festivals must be based in eligible countries. The full list of eligible countries and can be found below.

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

Grants Available:

For up to £10,000:

UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists and/or organizations based in ODA* countries
International biennials/festivals based in ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists and/or organizations in the UK

For up to £5,000:

UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists and/or organizations based in non-ODA* countries
International biennials/festivals based in non-ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists and/or organizations in the UK

Program Timeline:

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.

Application Deadline: September 22, 2024.

For more information Visit the official website

British Council Biennials Connect Grants 2024 for Visual Artists