The British Council’s Architecture Design Fashion department has set up a grant scheme for international biennales and festivals to support participation by UK architects and designers.

Since 2016, ADF supported presentations by UK architects and designers at ten international platforms: São Paulo Architecture Biennial, Moscow International Biennale, Days of Architecture Sarajevo, Dhaka Arts Summit, Toronto Design Offisite, Beijing Design Week, Lisbon Architecture Triennale, Milan Salone del Mobile, Santiago Design Biennale and the central exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale. This year, we are inviting organisers of international biennales and festivals to submit proposals for grants to support the participation of UK designers. 

Eligibility Criteria

Architecture and design biennales and festivals outside the UK wishing to showcase UK architects or designers are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to those presenting work by designers in early stages of their career, i.e. within 10 years of practice. 

Grants will be given directly to biennales and festivals, rather than the designers. If you are an emerging UK designer or architect, and you have been invited to show at an international biennale or festival, please make the organiser aware of this opportunity so they can consider applying for this grant to support your presence.

Terms of the Grant

Grants will be offered by the British Council’s Architecture Design Fashion department to the biennale or festival organiser to cover specific costs in relation to the presentation of work by UK architects or designers. 

Application Process

International biennale or festival organisers can apply directly to the Architecture Design Fashion team or through a local British Council office, providing information on UK architects or designers selected to present work, funding expenditure and plans for audience engagement.

For activities taking place in 2018-19, the deadline for applications is 10 September 2018. Prior to this deadline, we will review applications on an on-going basis, so please apply as soon as your proposal is ready. 

Full criteria and the application form can be downloaded here.