Artist internationalisation grants

Building careers across borders

This programme supports artists and performers connected to West African festival clusters to develop the skills, networks, and opportunities needed for successful international careers. Through comprehensive training, mentoring, and mobility opportunities, you'll build the foundation for sustainable cross-border artistic practice.

Who can apply: Individual artists, performers, artistic groups, and their managers active in cultural sectors represented by the six festival clusters. This includes musicians, dancers, theatre practitioners, visual artists, filmmakers, writers, and other creative professionals seeking to internationalise their careers.

Programme structure: Three cycles of support, each lasting up to 8 months, providing sequential opportunities for skill development and career advancement. Approximately 144 cultural entities (including individual artists, groups, and artist-manager partnerships) will be supported across all cycles.

Sector-specific English training: If your English level is below A2, receive intensive online English language courses designed specifically for your cultural sector. Courses bring you to functional English competency essential for international career development, delivered by specialised service providers.

Formal training programmes: Participate in comprehensive training covering international marketing, digital presence development, contract negotiation, cross-cultural collaboration, funding applications, tour planning, and sector-specific professional skills relevant to your artistic discipline.

Individual mentoring: Receive personalised guidance from experienced international cultural professionals who understand your sector and career goals. Mentors support strategy development, network building, opportunity identification, and practical career planning over extended periods.

International mobility opportunities: Access funded travel for strategic career development including festival participation, collaboration opportunities, showcase events, professional conferences, residencies, and partnership development with international cultural organisations.

Cluster integration: Work closely with festival clusters in your sector, benefiting from their networks, opportunities, and collective internationalisation strategies. Participate in cluster-organized events, collaborations, and professional development activities.

Skills development focus: Training addresses practical career needs including portfolio development, online presentation, international partnership identification, cultural adaptation, business planning, intellectual property protection, and sustainable career management.

Selection criteria: Applications assessed on artistic quality, career potential, commitment to internationalisation, ability to benefit from support programmes, and contribution to cluster and regional cultural development goals.

Financial support: Grants cover training course fees, mentoring sessions, materials, travel costs for international opportunities, accommodation during mobility periods, and basic stipends for programme participation.

Multiple application cycles: Three separate application periods allow artists at different career stages and readiness levels to access support when most beneficial for their development trajectory.

How to apply: Applications developed jointly with cluster festivals and promoted through cluster networks. Strong applications demonstrate clear internationalisation goals, artistic merit, and capacity to engage productively with comprehensive support programme.

Launch Date: 15.04.2026
Cut-off Date: 30.06.2026
Implementation Phase: 01.08.2026 - 31.03.2027