Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) - Grants for artists displaying their work abroad

What WBI covers

You will receive your transport costs covered when you take part in an exhibition or cultural event abroad. Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI), the external representative body of the French-speaking part of Belgium, will cover the travel costs of your artistic team from their home town to the venue abroad. This includes artists, technical staff and, optionally, a person responsible for public relations. WBI also covers the costs of transporting your artworks, stage sets or props abroad.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to the cost of the cheapest flight or train ticket available on the day of travel. If you travel in your own vehicle, you will receive a flat-rate allowance per kilometre, which covers fuel, insurance, tolls and wear and tear. It is possible to engage an external transport company to transport materials, provided you obtain prior approval for a quotation. There is no fixed upper limit; however, WBI may cap the amount of the reimbursement. Travel within the host country is not covered.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You are a professional artist, a company, a group or a collective, or you represent such an organisation.
• Where you are based: Your home address or your company’s registered office is in Wallonia or Brussels.
• Track record: You have already performed or exhibited at Belgian cultural venues that are visited by experts in your field.
• Field: Your project falls within the field of visual arts, dance, theatre, circus, street performance or comedy. It may combine several of these fields, but must cover at least one of them.
• Where the event is: The exhibition or event is taking place abroad.

An advisory committee (a panel of experts) will assess your project on the basis of your links to the French-speaking part of Belgium, the quality and originality of the work, and the prospects for future involvement. For example, they will consider whether programme managers or journalists will visit the venue. Should there be a funding shortfall, you will also need a clear financial plan.

How to apply

Please submit your application by email (attachments up to 5 MB) or, in the case of large files relating to the visual arts, by post. Please submit your application at least 12 days before the meeting of the advisory committee that will be assessing your project. You can find the dates of the next meetings on the WBI culture pages. The committee will assess your project, WBI will then make a decision, and you will receive feedback by email within 30 days of the meeting.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Belgium.