Background
The British Council’s Architecture, Design and Fashion team has set up a fund for international biennales and festivals to support participation by UK-based designers, and to support UK biennales and festivals to present work by international designers. These small grants are designed to be used to support travel costs, production costs, as well as other miscellaneaous costs associated with the showcasing of work.
This online application form contains 4 sections:
- General information
- Project description
- Budget
- Supporting documentation, checklist and declaration
Eligibility
Biennales and festivals outside the UK wishing to showcase work by UK-based designers, or UK biennales and festivals wishing to showcase work by international designers are eligible to apply.
Grants are not designed for research and development, but to facilitate implementation of activities, such as collaborations and exchanges, or exhibitions and installations. Due to the nature of the funding, in Financial Year 2022-23 (01 March 2023 to 30 April 2023) priority will be given to:
- activities either taking place in Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries (for biennales and festivals outside the UK) or with designers based in those countries (for UK biennales and festivals). A limited number of grants will be available to support collaboration outside this group of countries;
- projects involving designers in early stages of their career, i.e. within 10 years of practice;
- projects that foster collaboration between UK-based and international designers.
Terms of the grant
Grants will be offered by the British Council’s Architecture, Design and Fashion team to the biennale/festival organiser to cover costs in relation to the participation of architects or designers. The value of each grant should be up to £5,000. An estimated total of 8-10 grants will be offered in Financial Year 2022-23.
The British Council’s support must be acknowledged alongside the UK presentation and on all promotional materials, including social media. Upon completion of the activity, applicants will be required to supply attendance figures and a project report. A grant agreement will be issued with detailed terms and conditions.
Covid-19
Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions, proposals that include digital showcasing or exchanges are welcome. Applicants should specify in the project description how digital elements of the activity will be delivered, ensuring that the value of showcase or exchange is still embedded in the project.
If face-to-face activity is planned, applicants must follow latest guidance provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for the relevant country/countries: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Application process
Biennale or festival organisers to supply information on designers selected to present work, funding expenditure and plans for audience engagement. Activity must take place between September 2022 and October 2023.
Applications must be sent via Formstack by 18:00 BST, 31st July 2023 and should include:
- this completed application form;
- supporting documentation on the activity and biennale/festival, e.g. reports or presentations about the biennale/festival;
- examples of designer’s work;
- letter of support by participating designer;
- completed diversity monitoring form (for UK applicants only).
Selection will be led by the British Council’s Architecture, Design and Fashion team in consultation with British Council offices. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by 15th August 2023.
For any queries or expression of interest, please contact:
Hannah Robinson, Programme Manager – Architecture, Design and Fashion: hannah.robinson@britishcouncil.org