Gulbenkian Exhibitions Fund
Showcasing art in the UK from Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries
Support for arts organisations in the UK to host contemporary arts showcases by artists from, or based in, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Documents
Gulbenkian Exhibitions Fund aims to strengthen the visibility of contemporary arts from Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries in the UK cultural landscape.
This new open call from the Foundation’s UK Branch is aimed at not-for-profit arts organisations and institutions in the UK, including (but not limited to) museums, galleries, festivals and biennales.
Scope and eligibility
Funding can be used for solo or group exhibitions and showcases, multidisciplinary presentations, art film retrospectives, touring or site-specific projects, new commissions or presentations of existing work. Eligible artistic fields are visual arts, moving image (including film), performance and performing arts when presented within an exhibition context. Projects focused primarily on architecture and design are not eligible.
Projects may involve one or multiple partners, but must take place in a single UK institution that receives the grant.
The requirements are:
Organisations with an active grant from the Foundation at the time of application are not eligible.
Applicants should read the Guidelines for Applicants document (linked above in Documents) for full details on eligibility.
Funding
The Foundation will award grants of up to £30,000. Grants may cover up to 50% of total project costs. Up to 15% of the grant may be allocated to core organisational costs directly related to the project.
The grant will not cover:
Application process
Contact
Please read the frequently asked questions and the Guidelines for Applicants (above in Documents) first. If you have any unanswered questions, you can reach the UK Branch team at [email protected].
Faq
How do I create an account in order to access MyGulbenkian?
- Click on the menu icon
at the top right corner of the page. In case you are accessing the website using a smartphone or a tablet, click on the icon at the top left corner of your screen. Alternatively, you can click on the 'Login' button or 'Create my account' above on this page. - To create a new account select "Create account", fill in the required information and click "Create account".
- You will receive an email from the sender "Gulbenkian" ([email protected]), with the subject "MyGulbenkian: Activate your account". You have 24 hours to activate your account, otherwise, you will need to create an account again and repeat this process.
Once you have created an account, you can click 'login' or 'apply' to reenter the platform and work on your application.
Can I submit more than one application?
Yes, an institution can submit multiple applications. However, it is recommended to focus on the strongest proposal. Only one project per institution will be funded.
Who can apply?
Applications must be made by UK-based, non-profit arts organisations or institutions. Freelancers or groups of independent artists cannot apply directly, but their work can be included in a supported project.
Which are the eligible Portuguese-speaking African countries?
The eligible countries are Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Can the same artist appear in multiple applications?
Yes, artists can feature in multiple applications.
Can deceased artists be included?
Projects must feature at least one living artist from or based in Portugal or Portuguese-speaking African countries. Group shows may also include deceased artists.
Are performing arts projects eligible?
Performing arts are only eligible if presented within an exhibition context. Standalone performances – such as theatre, music, dance or opera – are not eligible.
What funding is available?
Grants of up to £30,000 are available. A diverse range of grant sizes is expected.
Will I receive the full amount requested?
The Foundation may award a different amount than requested. The grant letter will clearly indicate the approved funding.
What core costs can be included?
Up to 15% of the grant may be allocated to core organisational costs directly related to the project. These can be expenditures related to staff salaries, utilities or administration expenses that support the operations of the organisation and necessary for the project to take place.
I am a freelancer/artist or group of freelancers/artists seeking to do an exhibition at a venue in the UK. Would this be eligible?
No. Applications must be made by institutions, who will lead the project and receive the grant.
Does the Foundation fund the acquisition of artworks for collections?
No, the grant does not cover the acquisition of artworks. However, your approach or requirements from other funders may include incorporating newly commissioned work into your collections or archives.
Will I receive feedback on my application?
Due to limited capacity, the Foundation is unable to give personalised feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Does the Foundation support arts exhibitions and projects in other countries?
The Foundation’s French delegation runs a bi-annual call for exhibitions for institutions in Francophone European countries. Their latest call is open for applications until 15 March.
The Head Office in Portugal runs several calls a year for the arts sector, which are published on the main website.