Art installation by “Where Dogs Run” at Quantum Entanglement exhibition that was part of the UK-Russia Year of Culture programme in 2014  ©

Oleg Zhirov 

The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow is pleased to announce an open call for Russian regional cultural organisations to collaborate with UK partners. The aim of the programme is to showcase contemporary UK art to Russian audiences in different cities and to help regional institutions establish relationships with UK cultural partners.

We invite regional art institutions (outside Moscow) that have the desire and potential for international collaboration with the UK to take part in this programme.  Art institutions include Russian museums, galleries, art centres, libraries, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and other venues; festivals, art fairs, event agencies; educational platforms, and digital platforms. For any eligibility questions please contact creativebridge@britishcouncil.org

This call for applications is part of the UK – Russia Creative Bridge programme 2020-2021

Types of collaborations include:

  • Showcases of different UK art forms: visual art, design and architecture exhibitions, classical or contemporary music performances, film festivals, fashion shows and catwalks, theatre performances, festivals, and art fairs
  • Educational events of all kinds involving UK cultural professionals: professional development workshops, forums, conferences, short-term courses, series of public talks and lectures, creative residencies
  • Development of new pieces of collaborative art with the UK, e.g. film and music album releases, book publications (rights won’t be passed to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow)
  • Mobile apps, educational websites, and other digital platforms promoting UK art

Collaborations can be both online and offline but are be subject to international travel restrictions/quarantine and Russian national and city-level policy relating to COVID-19 including guidelines for events, physical distancing, etc. 

Criteria for applicants:

  • Applicants should represent cultural organisations from any Russian city (museums, galleries, art spaces / centres, libraries, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and other venues etc.)
  • The event/project should take place outside Moscow and involve an audience from the regional city that the applicant is based. This programme is designed to develop the international capacity of the cultural sector in the Russian regions outside of the capital
  • The organisation must  have existed for at least 3 years (since the date of registration in State Register of Legal Entities), be key player in the local cultural sector, have a loyal audience and a recognisable brand
  • It is desirable that the organisation has experience of international cultural collaboration (including contracting foreign organisations and making currency payments)

How to apply:

  • The application form should reflect the concept and format of the project, proposed UK partner involved, development plan, timeline, audience numbers, venues, budget breakdown 
  • The value of each grant is up to £5000 (in Russian rubles, using the internal exchange rate on the date of the grant agreement, before taxation, see below)
  • Please complete the application form at the bottom of the page and send it at creativebridge@britishcouncil.org by 26 October 2020. E-mail subject: CB_regional grants_application_name of organisation

Payment process and reporting:

  • Successful applicants will need to confirm a UK partner and present a detailed adjusted project plan and budget before signing a grant agreement with the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow
  • If a project can’t be implemented offline due to external reasons beyond the applicant’s control, the applicant will be required to deliver the project online within the same budget. The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow does not cover the applicant’s losses related to the cancellation of any offline activities and the applicant takes over all related risks (such as expenses of UK experts’ visits – tickets, hotel, visa etc.)
  • A grant agreement will be signed between a successful applicant – a Russian cultural organisation – and Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow. By signing grant agreements, applicants confirm that they can accept a grant from the British Embassy (non-resident) and make agreements with foreign organisations and individuals grant will be paid in roubles using the internal currency exchange rate
  • The money will be transferred to the applicant’s bank account in rubles using the internal exchange rate on the date of the grant agreement signing
  • The applicant is fully responsible for the tax payment. The grant amount does not cover taxes
  • The applicant is fully responsible for project implementation at all stages including communication with UK partners and third parties, planning, audience engagement, payment processing, reporting 
  • The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow does not assist with securing UK partners, making payments within the project, or – where travel is possible – providing visas or issuing visa support letters
  • The grant recipient should deliver the project and present a full report on it to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow by 28 February 2021 
  • The reporting stage includes detailed financial and descriptive reports and completed evaluation form
  • A descriptive report is provided in English and in Russian and includes quantitative and qualitative audience analysis, links to media publications, photo and video (if any), feedback from the engaged UK and Russian partners as well as audience members, a descriptive summary of the key project outcomes, and logo placement of the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow (on all project related materials). Detailed guidance will be issued to successful applicants. 
  • The financial report includes project-related supporting documents: agreements with individuals and organisations (Russian and UK-based), payment documents (bank statements, payment orders, credit card reports (corporate cards – for organisations, personal cards – for individuals), invoices, acts of acceptance, itinerary receipts, delivery slips, e-tickets. We do not accept cash payments, only bank transfers
  • In case if the applicant has not spent the whole grant amount, the rest should be returned to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow by bank transfer in Russian roubles by 31 March 2021 

Timeline:

26 October 2020 – application submission is closed

2 November 2020 – the selection process is complete and successful applicants are notified 

9 November 2020 – successful applicants confirm a UK partner and present a detailed adjusted project plan and budget breakdown

By the end of November the latest – agreement is signed and money is transferred to successful applicants 

28 February 2021 – the project is delivered, financial and descriptive reports are provided, evaluation form is completed

The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow will conduct the selection process in line with equality and diversity policies.
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