Arts

The Foundation’s art theme supports professional artists and UK based arts organisations, usually at an early research and development stage. Its focus is on the support of the making of original and imaginative new work, particularly that which may involve the commissioning of international artists or collaboration with international arts agencies.

Within our overall aims, the Foundation is currently supporting four high-profile flagship partnerships, with whom we have a sustained relationship. These are:

• the Liverpool Biennial International Festival of Contemporary Art – the Gulbenkian European Commissions, from 2008–10;

• Tate Britain – the Gulbenkian Curatorship for the Tate Triennial 2009, from 2007–09;

• the Galapagos Conservation Trust – the Gulbenkian Artists’ Residency Programme, for a three-year programme of residencies from 2007–09, to make new work addressing the challenges faced by the islands as an area of outstanding environmental importance in the context of global expansionism;

• the Natural History Museum – the Gulbenkian Art/Science programme.

Grant Support
There are two programmes in 2008:

The Arts in Public Spaces
This will be the third and final year of this programme and, although existing commitments to a few projects in urban areas will be honoured, those in rural areas will be prioritised. We particularly welcome applications from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The programme offers early research and development support for activities leading to especially imaginative and unusual projects devised for rural areas, to be eventually presented in non-conventional locations. The aim is to support high quality art, which may be created by international artists, including Portuguese artists, in projects which are well-facilitated, in order to involve and inspire people living locally. Partnerships with strategic locally based agencies are of particular interest.

The Arts and Science
The Foundation has pioneered collaborations between artists and scientists for the past 10 years and this aspect of the programme has come to an end. However, we will continue to advise on and promote the role for the arts in relation to science in a few selected cases and grants will be available for high-profile umbrella projects that demonstrate and broadcast exemplary interdisciplinary approaches.

Mind, Brain and Performance Symposium
In November 2006 the Foundation organised a Symposium, Mind, Brain and Performance, with Patrick Haggard, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, and Jeanette Siddall, then Dance Director, Arts Council England. It took place at Sadler's Wells for an invited group of dance and performance professionals and neuroscientists. The Report of the Symposium is now available as a pdf download.

For further information email arts@gulbenkian.org.uk