The 300 Year Anniversary call for applications is now closed. We would like to thank all those who applied. We received over 50 applications and we are now in the process of reviewing them. Awarded grantees will be contacted on the 5 March by email.
About the 300 Year Anniversary
British Council Morocco is celebrating 300 years anniversary of the first trade treaty between the United Kingdom and Morocco. The treaty which sets a legal framework for trade and navigation between the two kingdoms, made the UK the largest trade partner for Morocco at the time.
The Anglo-Moroccan treaty of 1721 was ahead of its time because it allowed the movement of people and goods between two nations of different cultures and protected the rights and property of their citizens. The Treaty formed the foundation for renewed bilateral relations and placed Britain as Morocco’s first European ally and trading partner.
About the Call
British Council aims to celebrate this anniversary by providing grants to support local artists in Morocco and the UK who are working on a creative project that explores historic and contemporary relationships and connections between Morocco and UK.
This grant programme is also designed to support the professional development of emerging artists, creatives and cultural practitioners in both countries.
The grant aims to strengthen artistic practice through supporting production and/or showcasing activities. Selected grantees will also be given opportunities to build their professional networks and make new connections with the UK and Morocco.
The submitted projects could be related to social, economic, or cultural relation and history between the two countries. What matters to us is that the work seeks to engage audiences in both countries and generate conversations and reflection about both countries’ joint history, many times obscure and unknow to the general public.
At a time of significant challenge for artists and the cultural sector globally, the British Council remains committed to supporting the development ofdiverse and creative expression and mutual cultural exchange between the UK and the rest of the world.
This programme is open to applications from all art forms including but not limited to : Architecture, Design, Fashion, Film, Literature, Music, Theatre, Dance and Visual Arts.
In total, British Council will award grants to major and/or experimental projects in the range of £5,000 to £10,000 maximum.
Who can apply?
This grant scheme is open to artists, creatives and cultural practitioners to support creative projects.
Applications will be accepted from individual artists, groups or collectives and registered organisations.
In the case of organisational applicants, please note that this grant is designed to support the development of artists and creative work so only projects that directly support and work with Moroccan artists are eligible to apply.
Both the artist(s) and the creative project should be based either based in Morocco or the UK.
We are looking for a diverse range of artists and creative practitioners to participate in this grant programme.
In the selection process, priority will be given to young and emerging artists who have had limited access to project support funding in the past. We strongly encourage applications from women and disabled artists, as well as those from marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Essential Criteria:
- The proposed project must be based / take place in Morocco, the UK or both
- The proposed project must respond to the theme of the call - exploring UK/Morocco shared history and contemporary links
- The proposed project must work directly with artists and support the development of creative work
- The proposed project must take place between 1 April and 31 October 2021
- The project budget must not exceed 10 000 GBP
- Each project must focus on reaching either a face to face, and/or online audience.The grant aims to increase the visibility and awareness of new contemporary and experimental art from Morocco and the UK. The engagement of a significant online and/or face to face audience is therefore essential.
- The project must be administrated by one person. They must have a legal presence and a bank account in order to receive funds. They must also be responsible for the mid-project, end of project report, and for the external communications of the project and will be the point of contact for the British Council. Further guidance in this will be provided upon selection.
What can the grant be used for?
We are expecting to fund the following kinds of projects (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Production of new artistic work
- Exhibitions and showcasing events
- Digital creative projects and platforms
We expect that grants will be used for the following purposes (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Payment of artists and key individuals involved in the project
- Costs of materials needed for production
- Costs of studio or venue rental
- Costs of running physical and virtual events and activities
- Logistical costs such as travel, per diem and accommodation
What is the grant NOT for?
Applications are not accepted for the following:
- Creative projects taking place outside of Morocco and the UK
- Applications for funding to support already completed work
- Projects led by academic institutions and funding bodies
Application Process
- All applicants should download and fill the following below application form and send it to farah.fawzi@britishcouncil.org
- The application can be submitted in English only.
- Please make sure you read and answer every question in the application before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be considered
- If you are applying as a group/collective or organisation, please submit only one application form on behalf of the group
- Supporting documentation such as images, videos, links and any other supporting content can be sent with the application
- Please note only successful applicants will be notified and the results will be published via our social media platforms
- Successful applicants will be asked to write a narrative report with project evaluation at the end of their project, further guidance will be provided
All received applications will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Eligibility – does the application meet all the essential criteria?
- Feasibility – is the proposal clear and well developed? Is the timeline and budget reasonable?
- Creativity – does the project respond creatively to a local or global challenge
- Location – project is based in either Morocco, the UK or both
Application Timeline
- Open Call launched on Thursday 18 February 2021
- Application Deadline Monday 1 March 2021 at midnight. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered
- Successful grantees to be notified and published from Friday 5 March 2021
- Funds to be released in April 2021
- Successful project and activities to be completed with report and evaluation submitted by Sunday 31 October 2021.