Biennials Connect Grants – British Council

Biennials Connect Grants – British Council

Deadline: 14th September 2025
Funding: Up to £9,500, plus potential additional support for access costs
Focus: Visual arts – international collaboration

Overview

The Biennials Connect Grants aim to strengthen global collaboration in the visual arts by supporting biennials, festivals, and partner organisations to engage international artists. Funding enables artists and organisers to create new work, share it with global audiences, and participate in professional exchange.

Grants can cover:

• Artist travel and accommodation

• Production costs

• Public programming

• Professional development and exchange

Projects must begin after February 2026 and conclude (including reporting) by February 2027.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

• UK biennials/festivals supporting international visual artists

• International biennials/festivals supporting UK-based visual artists

• Visual arts organisations collaborating with a biennial or festival

Additional requirements:

• Organisation must be based in the UK or eligible international country

• Focus primarily on visual arts (multi-arts festivals may apply with clear visual arts focus)

• Artists must be 18+ with valid passports if travel is involved

• One application per festival/biennial edition only

• Must demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

• Fair artist compensation required

Not eligible: Individual artists; repeat applications for the same festival edition

Benefits

• Up to £9,500 funding + possible access cost support

• Platform for international artistic exchange

• Opportunity to showcase emerging and mid-career visual artists globally

• Support for producing and presenting new work

This grant is ideal for festivals and visual arts organisations aiming to expand international collaborations, engage new artists, and bring fresh creative projects to global audiences.