New Funding for UK and International Collaborative Arts Projects

Grants programme launching to support partnerships between UK and international organisations to deliver arts projects addressing contemporary social themes.

British Council are set to open a new £3.5 million fund which recognises the value of international collaboration in the arts sector. Groups will be able to apply for:

  • Small grants of £5,000 to £20,000.
  • Large grants of £20,000 to £75,000.

Applications will be invited from UK organisations across the charity, community, private and public sectors as long as they have a registered legal structure, bank account and a focus on arts and culture. They must work in partnership with at least one organisation from one of the following countries/territories:

Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi, Spain, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

Funding is intended for innovative projects that demonstrate new art forms or content; work with a new partner; or that approach audiences in a new way, and could include use of:

  • Film.
  • Creative technology.
  • Literature.
  • Visual arts.
  • Theatre and dance.
  • Architecture, design and fashion.
  • Music.
  • Cross-art forms.
  • Activities with themes relevant to the economy.
  • Cross-disciplinary projects (eg art and science; art and technology).

Projects may address any theme, but the funders are particularly keen to receive proposals that focus on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, ageing and other areas of diversity.

Grants can cover a range of capital and revenue costs directly related to the project.

The fund opens for applications on 15 October 2021, with a deadline of 4 November 2021.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)