HA NOI – The British Council is thrilled to announce the opening of applications for its Connections Through Culture arts grants, a £700,000 grant programme designed to foster artistic and cultural collaborations between the UK and Asia-Pacific countries.
Applicants in Viet Nam can apply for grants of up to £10,000 (about VND320 million), for projects that enable genuine international collaboration between the UK and Asia-Pacific countries. We accept applications from all artforms, however proposals responding to Climate Change, and Diversity and Inclusion may be prioritised during final decision making. Projects supported by the Connections Through Culture Grants are required to include at least one UK-based applicant and one applicant based in Viet Nam. The Connections Through Culture grants support new international collaborations between the UK and Viet Nam, offering grant support to organisations and artists in the development of their creative projects. Since its first time introduced in 2019, there have been 16 grants awarded in Viet Nam so far.
‘With CTC (Connections Through Culture), I can connect through cultures online with Victoria Ho from London even during the pandemic to promote Deng textile and lead bead (a kind of weave with bead), not just in Viet Nam but also in the UK. I personally really feel proud that we could finally have, not just the manual, but also the training and contest to bring more attention on Deng textile and lead bead’, added Le Thi Quynh Chau in her project: Weaving a Better World: Including Craft to Reset Sustainable Fashion based on Ta Oi women’s designs, which is in collaboration with the UK designer, Victoria Ho. ‘This project led us and our counterpart to further expand our networks both in Viet Nam and in the UK by meeting a new partner who we hope will support future projects. This research also allowed both teams to develop a deeper understanding of each other's cultures and work processes. We are confident that there will be more opportunities to collaborate in the future.’
‘We’re proud to be supporting new creative collaborations between the United Kingdom and Viet Nam through our Connections Through Culture grants’, said Ms Donna McGowan, Director Viet Nam, British Council. ‘These grants can spark big ideas and major collaborations. We’re proud to be providing this support, keeping the doors open for artists in both countries to make connections and showcase their talents on the international stage. Connections Through Culture grants not only create meaningful artistic exchanges but help to bring greater understanding that will enrich the global creative landscape,’ she added.
Application process
The British Council is inviting applications that showcase new artistic collaborations between the UK and Asia-Pacific.
To support applicants, the British Council is offering a comprehensive set of resources to assist potential applicants, including an application toolkit with valuable tips and detailed insights into the programme's context. Potential applicants can find more information on the British Council website, including a toolkit, frequently asked questions, and information sessions to support organisations and artists through the application process.
Key Dates:
Applications Open: 9 July 2024
Register on our website for an Information Session:
- Information Session 1, 08.00 GMT, 17 July 2024
- Information Session 2, 09.00 GMT, 18 July 2024
- Information Session 3, 09.00 GMT, 23 July 2024
- Information Session 4, 10.00 GMT, 25 July 2024
Applications Deadline: 2 September 2024.
Visit the British Council website for more information.