Deadline: 17-Apr-2026
The Visual Art Grant provides up to €20,000 to collaborative visual arts teams for cross-border projects between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Funding supports co-creation, production, and public presentation of artistic work, emphasizing equitable collaboration, peer learning, and audience engagement.
Program Overview
The Visual Art Grant supports collaborative visual arts teams in developing, producing, and publicly presenting artistic work across borders. The programme focuses on fostering cross-border collaboration, strengthening peer learning, positioning African practitioners as knowledge creators, supporting equitable partnerships, enabling production, and promoting meaningful audience engagement and professional networking.
Purpose and Focus
The grant is designed to fund teams committed to producing tangible artistic outcomes, supporting the full artistic process:
- Co-creation and Concept Development: Joint planning and creative development between practitioners.
- Production: Materials, artist and professional fees, and travel for creative exchange.
- Public Presentation: Exhibitions, dissemination, audience engagement, and professional networking opportunities.
The programme does not support residencies, standalone research, or training initiatives. It prioritizes projects that result in finished artistic work with public visibility.
Funding Details
- Grant Amount: Up to €20,000 per team.
- Project Duration: 12 months (July 2026 – July 2027).
- Eligible Expenses: Artist and professional fees, production costs, travel for creative exchange, exhibition and dissemination, audience engagement activities, and participation in networking opportunities.
- Budget Requirements: Expenses must be necessary, proportionate, and justified, prepared using the designated template, and expressed in euros.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Team-Based Applications: Minimum of two members.
- Participant Requirements: All members must be 18+ and visual arts practitioners, including curators, exhibition designers, art directors, digital media artists, or cultural managers.
- Geographic Requirements: All team members must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa or the European Union. The team lead must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Collaboration Requirements: Teams may consist entirely of Sub-Saharan African members or include both African and European practitioners, with equitable, dialogue-based collaboration.
- Exclusions: Teams with members under EU restriction criteria, certain institutional affiliations, or prior disqualifications are not eligible.
How to Apply
- Form a Team: Assemble a collaborative team with at least two members meeting eligibility criteria.
- Define Project Scope: Outline co-creation, production, and public presentation plans.
- Prepare Budget: Use the designated template, justify all expenses, and express amounts in euros.
- Demonstrate Collaboration: Show commitment to equitable, dialogue-based cross-border partnerships.
- Submit Application: Complete the application according to programme guidelines before the deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application:
- Emphasize cross-border collaboration and peer learning.
- Highlight expected artistic outcomes and public engagement.
- Ensure budget is clear, proportionate, and fully justified.
- Show professional experience and capacity of team members.
Why This Program Matters
The Visual Art Grant strengthens the cross-border visual arts ecosystem by:
- Supporting equitable collaboration between African and European practitioners.
- Encouraging the production of publicly presented, high-quality artistic work.
- Enhancing professional networks and knowledge exchange.
- Promoting audience engagement and cultural dialogue across borders.
FAQ
1. Who can apply? Teams of at least two visual arts practitioners aged 18+ based in Sub-Saharan Africa or the EU, with the team lead in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. How much funding is available? Up to €20,000 per team for a 12-month project.
3. What types of projects are supported? Collaborative visual arts projects with co-creation, production, and public presentation of finished work.
4. Can the team include both African and European members? Yes, but the team lead must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. Are residencies or standalone research eligible? No, only projects producing tangible artistic outcomes are eligible.
6. What expenses can be funded? Artist/professional fees, production materials, travel for creative exchange, exhibition and dissemination, audience engagement, and networking activities.
7. Are there any exclusions? Applicants are ineligible if any member falls under EU restrictions, certain institutional affiliations, or prior disqualifications.
Conclusion
The Visual Art Grant provides critical support for cross-border collaborative visual arts projects that emphasize equitable partnership, creative co-creation, and public engagement. By funding the full artistic process from concept to presentation, the programme strengthens professional networks, fosters peer learning, and promotes vibrant artistic exchange between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
For more information, visit Goethe-Institut.