Apply Now: British Council Biennials Connect Grants 2024

Our 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. 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 find out about previous awards here .

See below for full information about eligibility and the application process.

• Table of Content
• About British Council
• British Council Biennials Connect Grants
• Aim and Benefits of British Council Biennials Connect Grants
• Requirements for British Council Biennials Connect Grants Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million p... continue reading

British Council Biennials Connect Grants

Aim and Benefits of British Council Biennials Connect Grants

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.

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

Requirements for British Council Biennials Connect Grants Qualification

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.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

If you need this information in any other format or require access support to make your application please email [email protected].

For more details, visit British Council website