Deadline: 24-Sep-2026
The Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme supports the production, exhibition, and dissemination of contemporary art in Denmark and internationally. Funding can support new artworks with confirmed exhibition agreements, exhibition expenses, Danish artists shown abroad, venues presenting Danish or international artists, and exhibition-related print or digital promotion.
What Is the Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme?
The Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme provides financial support for projects that strengthen the creation, presentation, and public dissemination of contemporary art.
The programme supports both art production and exhibition activities, helping artists and art organisations present contemporary works to audiences in Denmark and abroad.
Support may be available for:
- Production of new contemporary artworks.
- Exhibition costs for artists.
- Danish venues exhibiting Danish artists.
- Danish venues exhibiting international artists.
- International venues exhibiting Danish artists.
- Printed promotional materials connected to exhibitions.
- Digital promotion connected to exhibitions.
Projects must meet the programme’s eligibility and documentation requirements.
Why It Matters
Contemporary artists often face significant costs when producing new work or presenting existing work to audiences.
The programme helps reduce these barriers by supporting:
- New artistic production.
- Exhibition opportunities.
- International presentation of Danish art.
- Public access to contemporary art.
- Dissemination and promotion of artistic projects.
The international component is particularly relevant for Danish artists and organisations seeking to reach audiences outside Denmark.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
Production of New Artworks
Funding can support the production of new artworks when the artist has a confirmed agreement for exhibition.
Applicants seeking production support should provide relevant project information, including sketches where required.
Exhibition Expenses
Artists may apply for support toward eligible costs associated with exhibitions.
The programme can also support venues presenting contemporary artists.
Danish Art Abroad
Non-Danish venues may apply when they are presenting Danish artists.
This enables the programme to contribute to the international dissemination of Danish contemporary art.
Exhibition Promotion
Printed or digital promotional activities may be eligible when they are directly connected to an exhibition.
A distribution agreement must be in place to demonstrate that the promotional material will be publicly accessible.
What Is Not Funded?
The programme excludes several types of expenses and projects.
Funding does not cover:
- Exhibitions opening before the application deadline.
- Permanent public artworks.
- Studio rent.
- Per diem allowances.
- Hospitality associated with previews.
- Travel and accommodation costs for assistants.
- Costs incurred in previous years.
- Projects already reviewed by the relevant committee.
Applicants should ensure that their budget contains only eligible costs.
Who Can Benefit?
The programme is relevant to contemporary art projects involving:
- Artists.
- Curators.
- Danish exhibition venues.
- International venues presenting Danish artists.
- Organisations involved in contemporary art dissemination.
Eligibility depends on the specific project, applicant and activity proposed.
A confirmed exhibition or publishing agreement is an important component of the application for relevant projects.
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide a comprehensive application package.
Required materials include:
- Facts and basic information template.
- Images of previous artistic works.
- Detailed project description.
- Detailed project budget.
- CVs for participating artists or curators.
- Exhibition or publishing agreement.
- Project sketches when applying for production of new work.
- Bank information.
Applicants from countries using IBAN and those from countries without IBAN systems must use the applicable bank information forms.
How to Apply
Step 1: Define the Project
Clearly establish whether the application concerns:
- New artwork production.
- An exhibition.
- Dissemination of Danish art.
- Exhibition-related promotion.
- Another eligible contemporary art activity.
Step 2: Confirm the Exhibition or Publishing Agreement
Obtain the relevant written agreement specifying the time period of the exhibition or publishing activity.
For new artwork production, the agreement should demonstrate that the work has a confirmed exhibition opportunity.
Step 3: Prepare the Project Description
Explain:
- What will be produced or exhibited.
- Who is involved.
- Where the project will take place.
- When it will take place.
- Why the project is artistically relevant.
- How audiences will access the work.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Material
Compile:
- Images of previous works.
- Artist or curator CVs.
- Sketches for new production projects.
- Exhibition or publishing agreement.
- Required application templates.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Create a detailed project budget and distinguish eligible expenses from costs that cannot be supported.
Applicants should not include excluded expenses such as studio rent, per diems, assistant travel or permanent public artworks.
Step 6: Provide Bank Information
Submit the appropriate banking documentation.
Applicants should use the required form depending on whether their country operates with an IBAN or non-IBAN banking system.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Ensure the exhibition has not already opened before the application deadline and that the project has not previously been reviewed by the committee.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should focus on demonstrating:
- A clearly defined contemporary art project.
- A confirmed exhibition or publishing opportunity.
- Strong artistic quality.
- Clear public or audience access.
- A realistic implementation schedule.
- A transparent and detailed budget.
- Appropriate international or Danish dissemination where relevant.
For new artwork production, provide sketches and explain how the proposed work connects with the confirmed exhibition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying for an exhibition that opens before the deadline.
- Including permanent public artworks.
- Requesting support for studio rent.
- Including per diem expenses.
- Budgeting travel or accommodation for assistants.
- Including costs from previous years.
- Omitting the exhibition or publishing agreement.
- Failing to provide required artwork images.
- Submitting an incomplete budget.
- Forgetting the appropriate IBAN or non-IBAN bank form.
- Applying for a project that has already been reviewed by the committee.
Key Information at a Glance
- Programme: Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme
- Focus: Contemporary art production, exhibition and dissemination
- Geographic scope: Denmark and international projects
- Supports: New artworks, exhibitions, dissemination and exhibition promotion
- International support: Non-Danish venues may apply to exhibit Danish artists
- New production: Requires a confirmed exhibition agreement
- Promotion: Print and digital promotion may be eligible when public distribution is ensured
- Agreement: Exhibition or publishing agreement required
- Supporting documents: Project description, budget, CVs, artwork images and agreement
- New work applications: Include sketches
- Bank documentation: IBAN or non-IBAN form as applicable
- Important restriction: Projects opening before the deadline are not eligible
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme support?
It supports the production, exhibition and dissemination of contemporary art in Denmark and abroad, including new artwork production and eligible exhibition expenses.
Can international venues apply?
Yes. Non-Danish venues may apply when they are exhibiting Danish artists, subject to the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Can funding support new artwork production?
Yes. Production of new work can be supported when the artist has a confirmed exhibition agreement. Applicants should also provide sketches where required.
Can exhibition promotion be funded?
Printed or digital promotion connected to an exhibition may be eligible when there is a distribution agreement ensuring public access.
What costs are excluded?
Excluded costs include studio rent, per diems, preview hospitality, assistant travel and accommodation, permanent public works, previous-year costs and exhibitions opening before the deadline.
What documents are required?
Applications generally require a facts and basic information template, artwork images, project description, detailed budget, artist or curator CVs, an exhibition or publishing agreement, and sketches for new production. Bank information is also required.
Can a project that has already been reviewed be submitted again?
No. Projects that have already been reviewed by the committee are not eligible for consideration under the programme.
Conclusion
The Production and Exhibitions Grant Programme provides an opportunity to support contemporary art production, exhibition and international dissemination. Applicants should build their proposals around a clearly defined project, confirmed exhibition or publishing arrangements, strong supporting materials and an accurate budget.
Careful attention to eligibility is essential, particularly regarding project timing, excluded expenses, public access requirements and the need to provide a complete application package.
For more information, visit Danish Arts Foundation.
