British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland have developed a funding opportunity to support Scottish-based arts professionals to travel to France.
The fund has been developed through the ongoing strategic partnership between the British Council and Creative Scotland, which is based on a shared belief that working together on shared priorities enhances opportunities to place Scottish arts and culture on a world stage, and provide an international context to, and benefit, for Scotland.
These grants also contribute to activity within the programme of the UK/France Spotlight on Culture 2024, to make or strengthen new connections, develop networks, and undertake research and development of future collaborative projects with French partners.
With France in the spotlight as hosts of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024, and the Cultural Olympiad linking sports to the arts, the UK/France Spotlight on Culture aims to support collaboration with counterparts across the country to revitalise Franco-British cultural dialogue and exchange through creativity, innovation, and artistic practice.
What this fund is for:
This fund is intended for applicants who can demonstrate a strategic purpose to their trip, potentially linked to existing connections or planned research within France. This is not a speculative opportunity, but one that is designed to foster nascent connections through self-organised travel.
- The fund is open across all art forms, with a focus on proposals around themes of arts and inclusion, sustainability, and the circular economy.
- The fund has geographic focus on six regions in France: Normandy, Brittany, Hauts-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Île-de-France. Please note, other parts of France can be included in your itinerary.
- Applicants should aim to travel between October – December 2024.
Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Environmental Sustainability are priorities for us. Through this fund we will seek to support a diverse range of applicants from across Scotland and maintain our commitment to environmental sustainability and prioritise slow/land travel unless in exceptional circumstances.
We anticipate making 10-15 awards of up to £3,000 each (not including additional access costs) and we will seek to provide a level of award that means that cost will not be a barrier to anybody who would like to take up this opportunity.
To ensure that we maximise public benefit, you will be required to commit to sharing your learning with the wider Scottish arts sector. This includes a report on the outcomes and the benefits of the visit to you and (where relevant) your organisation as well as participation in a round table sharing session (in person or online) in early 2025 in Scotland.
You can apply for up to £3,000. Eligible costs can include travel, accommodation, travel insurance, entrance tickets, per diems £75 (up to 7 days), freelance stipend (where applicable) of £100 per day (up to 7 days) and relevant costs required to remove barriers to participation. Requests can be for 100% of costs but we welcome applications that include support from other sources.
How to apply: Please submit your application and Equality Monitoring Form: by Midday, (12pm) on Tuesday 9 July 2024.
(The equalities monitoring form is anonymous and will be used for reporting purposes and to make changes to ensure we are increasingly EDI friendly when planning future calls)
Application outcomes will be communicated by Friday 19 July 2024.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be based in Scotland.
- Applicants must have an existing practice and experience working internationally.
Criteria:
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria, please provide a short proposal outlining how your proposal meets the following criteria.
Criteria 1 – Themes and Geographic Focus
- We want to see applications that meet the aims of the fund and work with the geographic focus in France.
- How does your planned activity address one or more of the following themes: arts and inclusion, sustainability, and the circular economy.
AND
- How does your planned activity include one or more of the following geographic focus’: Normandy, Brittany, Hauts-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Île-de-France.
Criteria 2 – Existing Relationship and Specific Research Purposes
- We want to see applications which have thought through why they are working with their chosen partners, and why it is likely to be fruitful activity.
- What relationships already exist between the applicant and organisations/people.
AND/OR
- How the visit will lead to establishing new meaningful connections and collaborations.
Criteria 3 – Quality of Project Planning
- We want to see activity which is likely to be delivered well, through a well-thought-out budget and outline of activity including:
- An outline of the project
- An appropriate budget, including other resourcing/funding
- Draft Itinerary
Criteria 4 – Travel Plans and EDI
- We want to see that applicants have factored in the climate crisis into their planning, but in a way that is appropriate to their own particular circumstances.
- On the justification and the appropriateness of the method of travel - can you show why you have chosen your particular means of travel, and if it is not land-based, can you explain what about your particular circumstances mean that this was not an appropriate option?