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Tuesday 01 July 2025

The British Council has opened a new funding call for Biennials Connect Grants, offering up to £9,500 to UK and international biennials and festivals – including those based in Germany.

These grants are designed to support visual artists’ participation in international and UK-based biennials and festivals, fostering collaboration, exchange and professional development. The funding can be used for travel, new work production, networking, residencies, and artist support – with a focus on long-term impact for both artists and host organisations.

The initiative strengthens cultural exchange by enabling international festivals to showcase UK-based artists, and UK festivals to feature international artists from eligible countries. Applications are encouraged from festivals and biennials working in partnership – including co-commissions and collaborative artist projects.

Key dates:

  • Applications open: 23 June 2025
  • Application deadline: 14 September 2025, 23.59 (BST)
  • Online information sessions: 9 July 2025 (09.00–10.00 and 15.00–16.00 BST)
  • Projects start: February 2026
  • Projects must conclude by the end of February 2027

The grants are open to biennials, festivals and visual arts organisations based in the UK or in eligible countries, including Germany. Applications from individual artists are not eligible.

For full details, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the global Arts website.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022-23 we reached 600 million people. For 90 years, the British Council has built global connections through the arts, education, and the English language. Every year, 100 million people improve their English language communication skills and prove their English proficiency with us. We deliver 4 million exams in 140 countries, enabling access to UK qualifications. In partnership with 40 national governments and supporting 4 million educators, we improve English teaching and empower learners worldwide with lifelong skills for work, study, travel and communication with the world.
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