The UK-Gulf Exhibition Programme – which has been granted to the British Council by the UK government – will support UK museums and galleries to partner with institutions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The new initiative will showcase the best of UK art, culture, science and sport in at least four Gulf venues between 2018 and 2020 and the exhibitions it is hoped will offer inspiration and high quality educational opportunities for the region’s youth who make up more than half the population in the Gulf.
“This new funding will support museums and galleries in strengthening their international networks and developing long-lasting relationships with Gulf institutions,” said Graham Sheffield, British Council Director, Arts. “These collaborative exhibitions will share expertise and open up more world-leading UK collections to young people in the Middle East, offering new ideas, inspiration and deepening mutual cultural understanding.”
The new funding is part of a three-year programme of culture and sport activities in the Gulf and responds to the growing interest among younger generations in the Gulf to produce, experience and participate in cultural activities. The programme also hopes to create new opportunities for UK and Gulf institutions to foster long-term cultural and educational relationships.
A full list of potential partner institutions in the Gulf and the terms for applications are available via the British Council website.
UK-based non-profit museums can apply for grants of up to £5,000 by 11 February) for an initial scoping exercise. If successful they can then apply for a grant of up to £100,000 by 21 June.
