Request for Proposals: Curatorial Research Programme (Denmark)

The Visual Arts International Research Programme supports curators, art directors, critics, art mediators and other contemporary art professionals undertaking research trips to Denmark. Grants of up to DKK 15,000 per person can cover economy-class travel and accommodation for research visits typically lasting 3–7 days, helping professionals discover Danish contemporary art and build international collaborations.

What Is the Curatorial Research Programme?

The Visual Arts International Research Programme is designed to strengthen international exchange and promote Danish contemporary art internationally.

The programme enables art professionals to travel to Denmark for focused research and professional meetings. Participants can use their visits to:

Discover emerging and established Danish artists.
Visit artist studios.
Meet curators and art professionals.
Explore Danish art institutions and exhibition venues.
Learn about the Danish contemporary art scene.
Develop international collaborations.
Establish future professional partnerships.

The programme is therefore focused on curatorial research and professional exchange, rather than attendance at individual art events.

Who Is the Programme For?

The programme is open to professionals working with contemporary art, including:

Curators.
Directors of art institutions and exhibition venues.
Art critics.
Art mediators.
Other relevant art professionals.

Both Danish and international professionals may be eligible.

Danish institutions may apply on behalf of foreign curators when they are responsible for organising and hosting the research visit.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Applicants may receive up to:

DKK 15,000 per person

The grant is intended primarily to cover:

Travel to Denmark.
Accommodation in Denmark.

Travel and accommodation must be arranged in economy class.

The committee may award less than the amount requested, depending on its assessment and available funding.

What Is the Typical Research Trip Duration?

A typical research visit lasts approximately:

3–7 days

The applicant is responsible for developing the programme of the visit and arranging relevant professional meetings, studio visits and other research activities.

Why Does the Programme Matter?

International exchange can help strengthen connections between Danish contemporary art and the global art community.

The programme enables visiting professionals to gain first-hand knowledge of Denmark’s art scene while helping Danish artists and institutions establish new international relationships.

Potential benefits include:

Greater international visibility for Danish artists.
New curator-artist relationships.
International exhibition opportunities.
Cross-border collaboration.
Exchange of artistic and curatorial knowledge.
Stronger professional networks.

What Activities Can the Grant Support?

The funding is intended for research-oriented travel to Denmark.

Eligible support can cover:

Economy-class international travel.
Economy-class accommodation.
Research visits to Danish art institutions.
Artist studio visits.
Meetings with curators and other professionals.
Other activities forming part of an organised research programme.

Applicants should ensure that the proposed visit has clear professional and curatorial objectives.

What Is Not Funded?

The programme does not support travel primarily connected with:

Exhibition openings.
Conferences.
Seminars.
Art fairs.
Biennales.
General orientation visits.
Already programmed exhibitions.
Travel for exhibitions that have already been scheduled.
Local transportation of less than 15 km.
Visa costs.
Travel insurance.
Entrance fees.
Per diem expenses.

An exception to the per diem restriction may apply to applicants from UN-designated least developed countries.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants can include Danish or foreign professionals working in contemporary art.

International applicants should demonstrate that the proposed trip has a clear research or professional purpose related to the Danish contemporary art scene.

A Danish institution applying on behalf of a foreign curator must organise and host the visit.

How to Apply

Step 1: Define Your Research Objectives

Clearly explain what you want to achieve during your visit to Denmark.

Objectives might include:

Researching specific Danish artists.
Exploring a particular artistic movement or practice.
Meeting potential collaborators.
Studying Danish curatorial approaches.
Developing future international projects.

Step 2: Develop a Day-by-Day Programme

Applicants are responsible for organising their own research programme.

Include planned:

Studio visits.
Institutional visits.
Professional meetings.
Artist meetings.
Curatorial discussions.
Other relevant research activities.

A clear schedule helps demonstrate that the trip is a genuine research visit.

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Prepare a realistic budget covering eligible expenses, particularly:

Economy-class travel.
Accommodation.

Do not include excluded costs such as visa fees, insurance, entrance fees or short-distance local transportation.

Step 4: Prepare Your CV

The application requires a CV highlighting the 10 most important points of your professional background.

Focus on experience most relevant to contemporary art and the proposed research trip.

Step 5: Provide Bank Information

Submit official bank information required for international fund transfers.

Ensure the information is accurate and suitable for receiving the grant.

Step 6: Disclose Other Applications

If you are applying for funding for the same trip through other Danish Arts Foundation committees, this must be disclosed in the application.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Review the complete application to ensure that the goals, day programme, budget, CV and bank information are included before submission.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should demonstrate:

Clear research objectives.
Strong relevance to Danish contemporary art.
A focused 3–7 day programme.
Meaningful meetings and studio visits.
Potential for international exchange.
A realistic budget.
Relevant professional experience.

Avoid describing the trip as general tourism or broad orientation. The programme should clearly demonstrate professional research value.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Requesting funding primarily for an exhibition opening.
Treating a conference or art fair visit as a research trip.
Including visa or insurance expenses in the eligible budget.
Requesting funding for local transportation under 15 km.
Including entrance fees.
Including per diems unless the specific exception applies.
Failing to provide a detailed day programme.
Omitting professional goals.
Failing to disclose applications to other Danish Arts Foundation committees for the same trip.
Using non-economy travel or accommodation costs.

Curatorial Research Programme at a Glance

Programme: Visual Arts International Research Programme
Purpose: Curatorial research and international exchange
Location: Denmark
Maximum grant: DKK 15,000 per person
Eligible professionals: Curators, art institution directors, art critics, art mediators and other contemporary art professionals
Nationality: Danish and foreign professionals may be eligible
Typical trip duration: 3–7 days
Travel class: Economy
Accommodation: Economy
Main focus: Research into Danish contemporary art and professional exchange
Application responsibility: Applicant organises the research programme
Required documents: Goals and day programme, budget, CV and official bank information
Per diems: Generally excluded, with an exception for applicants from UN-designated least developed countries
Committee discretion: Award may be lower than the amount requested

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Visual Arts International Research Programme?

It is a Danish funding programme supporting research travel to Denmark for contemporary art professionals. It aims to promote Danish contemporary art internationally and strengthen international professional exchange.

How much funding can I receive?

Applicants may receive up to DKK 15,000 per person for eligible travel and accommodation expenses.

Who can apply?

Curators, directors of art institutions or exhibition venues, art critics, art mediators and other relevant contemporary art professionals may apply. Both Danish and foreign professionals can be eligible.

How long should the research trip be?

The typical research visit lasts 3–7 days, although the exact duration should be appropriate to the proposed research programme.

Can the grant pay for an exhibition opening or art fair visit?

No. Travel related to exhibition openings, conferences, seminars, art fairs and biennales is not eligible for support.

What documents are required?

Applicants must provide their research goals and day programme, a budget, a CV highlighting the 10 most important professional points, and official bank information for international transfers.

Can I apply to another Danish Arts Foundation committee for the same trip?

You may need to disclose such applications. If you are seeking funding for the same trip from other Danish Arts Foundation committees, this must be stated in the application.

Conclusion

The Visual Arts International Research Programme provides targeted support for contemporary art professionals seeking to conduct meaningful research and build professional relationships in Denmark.

With grants of up to DKK 15,000 per person, the programme can help cover economy-class travel and accommodation for focused research visits. A strong application should present clear professional goals, a detailed 3–7 day programme, relevant contemporary art experience and a realistic budget focused on eligible expenses.