Friday 28 June 2019

A first-of-its kind project in Taiwan to spark innovative ways for Taiwan and the UK to collaborate through the arts was launched today (Friday 28 June) by the British Council, supported by the National Culture and Arts Foundation.

Connections through Culture is a bilateral grants programme in partnership with the National Culture and Arts Foundation, designed to seed exciting cultural exchanges between artists and arts organisations and nurture cooperation and long-lasting relationships between Taiwan and the UK.  

Following similar initiatives in India and China, any Taiwan or UK artist or non-profit organisation working in the arts is eligible to apply, as long as they are looking to partner with artists or arts organisations in the other country and have the potential to transform these partnerships into exhibitions, performances or public events. Approved artforms include drama, dance, visual arts, literature, film, music, architecture, design, and fashion. 

Over two years, 16 grants valued at £2,500(GBP) each will fund travel and accommodation for artists, arts organisation and agency representatives seeking to meet with peer organisations and potential collaborators in Taiwan and the UK.

An open call for the first round of applications from the UK and Taiwan opens on 1 July 2019, with a selection panel made up of experts from the British Council and the National Culture and Arts Foundation. Recipients of the grants will be announced on 2 September 2019.

Artists or arts organisations can find further information at our website.

Nick Marchand, the British Council’s Director Arts – North-East Asia, said:

“Connections through Culture will operate as a seed-bed for purposeful encounters between cultural professionals, facilitating relationships that we hope can progress to future co-productions, projects and professional development. We will reach and invest in a diverse array of talent, from individual artists to large-scale arts organisations - aiming for a transformational impact on the quality, innovation and sustainability of UK / Taiwan cultural relations.We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the National Culture and Arts Foundation to offer these unique arts opportunities for future collaboration.”

 

Details of the next 3 rounds:

Round 1
(Visits from October to December 2019)

  • Applications open: 1 July 2019
  • Application deadline: 2 August 2019
  • Results out: Monday 2 September 2019

Round 2
(Visits from January to March 2020)

  • Applications open: 30 September 2019
  • Application deadline: 1 November 2019
  • Results out: 2 December 2019

Round 3
(Visits from April to June 2020)

  • Applications open: 30 December 2019
  • Application deadline: 31 January 2020
  • Results out: Monday 2 March 2020
 

Notes to Editor

About National Culture and Arts Foundation (NCAF)

The NCAF was founded in 1996, and provides grants, funding, and other assistance to individuals and non-profit organisations involved in literature, the visual arts, music, dance, traditional and contemporary theater, cultural heritage preservation, audio/video arts, and arts environment and development. The foundation also encourages the creation of innovative, groundbreaking, and experimental works that inform and reflect the zeitgeist. Its work is composed of four elements, namely, “research and development,” “grants,” “awards,” and “resource development.” 

www.ncafroc.org.tw 

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, working with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. This past year, the British Council has reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall including through broadcasts, publications and online. The organisation makes a positive contribution to the countries it works with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934, the British Council is a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. 

www.britishcouncil.org.tw 

See also