The British Council is seeking expressions of interest from UK organisations or individuals working in any of the following art forms: Architecture, Design, Fashion, Craft, Visual Arts, Literature, Music, Theatre, Dance and Film; to undertake research in Sub-Saharan Africa between April 2019 and March 2020. 

Research may take the form of meeting with potential artists and partners; finding out more about your chosen art forms’ ecosystem in a country or countries; gaining an understanding of art trends in Sub-Saharan Africa; meeting arts organisations and/or attending events and festivals with a view to programming or curating work in the UK.

The countries covered under the programme (in which the British Council operates) are: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This opportunity aims to

• Facilitate the UK creative sector’s ambitions to connect with young, African creatives and art professionals who are 18 to 35-year-olds; 

• Increase opportunities for UK arts organisations and individuals to visit African cities and gain further insight into the chosen local art sector; 

• Encourage and support the development of networks that connect the UK and Sub- Saharan African arts sectors for the long term; 

• Widen the opportunities for art professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa to connect with UK arts organisations and arts professionals. 


The Grant

 The British Council will award up to 9 grants of £2,500 (each) to proposals to undertake research of your chosen artistic sector & travel in the Sub-Saharan Region between April 2019 and March 2020. We will be considering a geographical spread across the continent when assessing applications.

Criteria

The successful applicant is likely to:

• Be based at UK arts organisation or individual with a proven track record of working internationally; 

• Have a minimum of 3 years professional experience in their sector; 

• Demonstrate experience in working with international partners to deliver collaborative arts 
programmes; 

• Have a basic knowledge of their chosen art sector in the region which is being visited (although the British Council will provide support in putting together a detailed programme); 

• Demonstrate a clear rationale for the research they want to undertake; 

• Demonstrate a commitment to our British Council values 


 Timeline

The closing date for submissions is 18:00 (GMT) on 8 March 2019

Announcements 25 March 2019 

Further details on the Art Connects Us Research Grants and how to apply can be found here