Deadline: 14-Sep-2025
The British Council’s Biennials Connect Grants offer an exciting opportunity to strengthen global collaboration in the visual arts.
Aimed at biennials, festivals, and partnering organisations, this grant supports the involvement of international visual artists in UK festivals and vice versa. With awards of up to £9,500 and potential additional support for access costs, the grant enables artists and organisers to create meaningful new work and share it with global audiences.
These grants cover a wide range of activities including artist travel, production, public programming, and professional exchange. Two online information sessions on 9 July will help applicants understand how to develop a competitive proposal. Projects must begin after February 2026 and conclude, including all reporting, by February 2027.
To be eligible, applicants must be one of the following: UK biennials or festivals supporting international visual artists; international biennials or festivals supporting UK-based visual artists; or visual arts organisations collaborating directly with a biennial or festival. The applying organisation must be based in either the UK or one of the eligible international countries and must primarily focus on visual arts. While multi-arts festivals can apply, they must demonstrate a clear emphasis on visual arts within their programming.
The grant is only available to organisations supporting artists aged 18 and over. If travel is included, artists must hold valid passports and be able to travel internationally. The applying organisation is responsible for coordinating all logistical elements such as travel, accommodation, visas, and insurance. Projects should either introduce artists that have not previously worked with the organisation or offer new opportunities for existing collaborators.
Applicants are also expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as fair compensation for artists. Applications submitted by individual artists are not eligible. Only one application can be submitted per festival or biennial, and only one grant will be awarded per festival edition. Organisations that have received funding in the past are eligible to apply again, but not for the same festival edition.
The Biennials Connect Grants present an ideal platform to promote international artistic exchange, champion emerging and mid-career visual artists, and showcase powerful new work across borders.
For more information, visit British Council.
