is now inviting applications for its Biennials Connect Grants, offering up to £9,500 in funding to eligible UK and international biennials and festivals that focus on contemporary visual arts.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance global collaboration by supporting visual artists’ participation in festivals and biennials. The grants are intended to facilitate international engagement, support the creation of new work, and increase artist visibility through travel, production, networking, and skills development.

The Biennials Connect Grants form part of the British Council’s broader commitment to strengthening the global visual arts ecosystem. They are designed to provide direct benefits to artists by enabling:

• International travel and mobility
• Production of new artwork
• Participation in prominent festivals and biennials
• Skills building and artistic development
• Networking and exposure to global audiences

This initiative builds on the success of the 2024–2025 programme, which supported 13 projects and helped over 19 artists present work across key events worldwide.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• UK-based biennials or festivals that support international visual artists
• International biennials or festivals that support UK-based visual artists
• Visual arts organisations working in collaboration with a biennial or festival

Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• Be based in the UK or one of the eligible international countries (listed in the application toolkit)
• Be a primarily visual arts-led biennial or festival (multi-arts festivals must demonstrate a clear focus on visual arts)
• Support artists aged 18 and above who are able to travel internationally with valid passports
• Support artists not previously involved with the festival or present new projects with artists previously supported
• Demonstrate a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the fair payment of artists
• Ensure that the core activity or presentation takes place from February 2026 onwards, with all activity and evaluation completed by February 2027

Please note: Individual artists are not eligible to apply directly. Only one application per biennial organisation will be considered. If a biennial has received a grant for a past or current edition, they may apply again for a new edition, but may not receive multiple grants for the same festival cycle.

What Can the Grant Be Used For?

The funding can be used to support a range of activities that facilitate visual artists’ involvement in festivals or biennials. These include:

• Travel, transport, and accommodation for participating artists
• Production costs for new or site-specific work
• Fees and fair compensation for artists
• Collaborative development and co-commissioning opportunities
• Technical and logistical support for participation

Festivals are expected to arrange all necessary logistics, including insurance, visas, and travel arrangements for artists.

Application Guidelines and Evaluation

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Refer to the Biennials Connect Application Toolkit and Budget Guidance
• Download all supporting documents to ensure proposals meet eligibility and criteria
• Provide a detailed project plan with clear objectives, timelines, and indicators of success
• Embed best practices in EDI and safeguarding
• Clearly outline how the funding will benefit both artists and the festival

The British Council is particularly interested in proposals that demonstrate innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and long-term impact.