The British Council is actively seeking a collaborative festival partner for an exciting opportunity within the Festival Connect Fund. We are looking for a dynamic individual or organisation rooted in the African festival sector to co-create and lead a festival sector gathering in collaboration with the British Council. This initiative aims to enhance the impact of the Festival Connect Fund and foster meaningful connections within the global festival community.
This project will involve planning at least three gatherings scheduled to run from May 2024 to March 2027 as part of the three-year Festival Connect Fund. We are specifically seeking applicants from eligible countries with a strong background in the creative sector, and a preference for those experienced in the festivals domain. Whether you are a creative hub, educational institution, or festival entity, we invite organisations with a proven track record of designing and executing creative festival programmes to apply.
Objectives of the Festival Connect gathering include:
- Establish a collaborative space for festivals in Africa, the UK, and internationally to connect, network and share knowledge.
- Facilitate regional and international collaborations that generate and share new ideas, work and art.
- Support the development of inclusive and sustainable creative economy ecosystems, with a focus on the role of festivals in communities and cities.
- Create a platform where cultural diversity and differences can be shared, discussed, and respected.
Our ideal partner should possess:
- Robust knowledge and capability in managing medium to large-scale events, including symposiums involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience in curating, convening, and managing festivals/creative networks in Africa and beyond, with access to an alumni network.
- Be familiar with the African festival sector and have a well-established network of expert contacts.
- Available to dedicate significant focus to this project between May 2024 and March 2025 due to time constraints.
We welcome applications from qualified and passionate individuals or organisations ready to contribute to the success of the Festival Connect Fund. Join us in building bridges, fostering creativity, and celebrating the rich diversity of festivals around the world.