We are calling for seven (7) UK artists, art organisation representatives, art tech creatives and or producers, curators, to be part of a delegation visiting Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo States) over a 10-day period in March 2024. 

About this opportunity

The British Council has launched the new global programme Culture Responds to Global Challenges. Its climate change strand aims to enable artists to tell the climate change story and improve practices in arts and cultural organisations. In Malaysia the British Council will run Human-Nature: a 3-year programme of collaborations and partnerships between the UK and Malaysia to integrate the arts, artists, culture, and cultural rights into climate efforts. 

Under our Malaysia Human-Nature Programme, we are delighted to announce a delegation opportunity for seven (7) art representatives (UK artists, arts organisation representatives, arts tech creatives and or producers, curators, representatives) to Borneo, Malaysia in March 2024. This immersion in the Borneo context and communities will be a unique opportunity for the group to participate in a research trip focused on exploring and addressing climate change through arts, science and technology, to ignite conversations and inspire change.  It will involve opportunities for the group to learn and increase their knowledge about climate change and adaptation in Borneo alongside building cultural connections with the Malaysian creative sector.

We are looking for a cross discipline, cross skills group of individuals who have a strong interest in developing their knowledge in this area, making new connections and have a special interest in Malaysia’s cultural diversity and biodiversity. We are particularly interested in candidates who are keen to raise awareness and explore creative solutions for addressing climate change through the arts, technology and science which fore-front lived experience. We are also looking for participants who can create further legacy with the knowledge and experience gained through the research trip.  

Sign up to attend the Information Session (15 January) for further details of this opportunity and Human-Nature programme: https://forms.office.com/e/UJTk8gwE8y

Objectives of the delegation

This delegation will be a core contributor to the first-year of the Human-Nature programme. The objectives include:

  1. Increase knowledge, understanding and interest of UK stakeholders about Malaysia’s potential and opportunities for creative responses to climate adaptation.
  2. Generate new connections and the premises for long-term collaboration pathways (creative works, networks) and generate long-term partnerships.

Sign up to attend the Information Session (15 January) for further details of this opportunity and Human-Nature programme: https://forms.office.com/e/UJTk8gwE8y 

The objectives and outcomes can also be reviewed in the Briefing Document below. 

How to apply

To apply, please read the Open Call Briefing Document - Human-Nature Delegation to Malaysia-Borneo and complete an Expression of Interest form via Submittable by Sunday 21 January 2024 23:59 GMT. Please note you will need to create an account on Submittable in order to start and complete the application process. 

Who can apply?

We are looking for seven (7) UK artists, curators, creative producers, creative technologists who:

  •  are interested in developing collaborative opportunities with talents in Malaysia.
  • have substantial professional experience and work at the intersection of arts and climate.
  • have interest to integrate, study, broaden their understanding of indigenous practices in Malaysia, specifically Sabah and Sarawak.
  • are highly creative and willing to collaborate with others.
  • have strong network in the UK that can be activated to amplify the awareness and impact of the overall programme’s activities and objectives.

Sign up to attend the Information Session (15 January) for further details of this opportunity and Human-Nature programme: https://forms.office.com/e/UJTk8gwE8y

For further details of the opportunity, eligibility criteria, and application requirements please review and download the Briefing Document below. Or further questions, please contact Florence.Lambert@britishcouncil.org 

Activity timeline

Milestone Date
Expression of Interest deadline 21 January 2024
Selection announcement 29 January 2024
Preparation - logistics/travel bookings February 2024
Delegation to Malaysia 29 February - 10 March 2024
Essay and documentation 31 May 2024
Reporting period June 2024

See also