The Connections Through Culture grants programme is designed to nurture fresh cultural partnerships between East Asia and the UK. These grants are instrumental in supporting new ideas and collaborations from artists and cultural organisations at any stage of development.

The grants supported in this round of Connections Through Culture programme have focused on two distinct areas: diversity and inclusion and, addressing climate change. The collaborative efforts across borders and artistic disciplines will lead to new thoughts and ideas created to address global challenges.

The grants support new connections, exchanges and collaborations. These grants help build long-term relationships and collaborations between artists, cultural professionals, creative practitioners and art and cultural organisations, hubs, networks, and collectives.

Connections Through Culture grantees 2023

University of Dundee

On 1 August 1967, the University of Dundee came into formal existence by virtue of a Royal Charter. We now have approximately 18,000 students from over 80 countries, creating an international community which benefits all our students.  60% are from Scotland, 20% from elsewhere in the UK and 20% from the EU and overseas. The University of Dundee has been ranked joint 8th in the UK for student experience, and joint 2nd within Scotland. This is the third successive year in which we have achieved a Top 10 result. The University recorded overall satisfaction of 88 per cent, well above the sector and Scottish averages. The survey asks students 27 questions across eight themes relating to their experiences of learning and teaching. Across these themes Dundee is ranked 5th in the UK for 'Teaching On My Course', 5th for Learning Resources, 9th for Academic Support and 10th for Learning Community.

Johnny Grammar's Word Challenge

Beat the clock and answer as many grammar and vocabulary questions as you can in 60 seconds! Hosted by quizmaster Johnny Grammar, this app features Beginner to Advanced level questions.

Download for: iOS | Android (Google Play)

Tab Space x Art.et.al: Capturing Surroundings

UK: Art et al.

Indonesia: Tab Space

Virtual collaboration between neurodivergent and neurotypical artists from the UK and Indonesia. Aims to create art, share experiences, and foster cross-cultural understanding, resulting in a new exhibition in Bandung.

LearnEnglish Kids: Phonics Stories

Read fun stories about space spies and learn phonetic sounds in this story app. Each story practises phonetic sounds and includes a game and dictionary. A parents guide offers expert advice on how to help young children learn English.

Download for: iOS (iPad only)

Networking Archive: UK - Indonesia Contemporary Music (a digital residency)

UK: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

Indonesia: Perempuan Komponis Forum & Lab

Digital residency exploring experimental music and sound art. Four participants from the UK and Indonesia will collaborate on new musical works, with outputs from the residency shared digitally and culminating in a performance in Indonesia.

University of Hull

The University of Hull is currently home to more than 1,300 international students from over 100 countries, and 97.9% of students go into work or further study within six months of graduating*. We’ve invested £200 million on new facilities including a world-class library, an award-winning health campus, a superb concert hall, on-campus student accommodation and new sports facilities. Our award-winning student union ensures they get the most of everything that university life has to offer.

*HESA 2018

Convergence of Grace: Uniting Worlds Through Dance

UK: Kadafi Mulula

Indonesia: KITAPOLENG

Dance film/documentary featuring collaboration between disabled dancer Arif "One-Legz" and non-disabled dancer Kadafi Mulula. Explores unity, diversity, and the transformative power of dance in Bali.

LearnEnglish Elementary Podcasts

Listen to our podcast hosts talk about life in the UK and improve your listening and vocabulary skills. Each episode comes with audio scripts and comprehension exercises.

Download for: iOS | Android

PRISM: Understanding The Spectrum of Meaning in Disability Arts Collaboration

UK: DaDa (DaDaFest)

Indonesia: Jogja Disability Arts

Research project on meaningful disability art collaboration. Aims to identify challenges, barriers, and best practices, providing input for guidelines and activity modules in disability arts collaborations in the UK and Indonesia.

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds, established in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. We are ranked within the worlds Top 100 Universities, QS World University Rankings 2019, and are renowned globally for the quality of our teaching and research.

We are a truly global University with over 35,000 students from over 150 different countries across the world. We are also a member of the Russell Group of Universities delivering world class research and an outstanding teaching and learning environment.