Submission deadline: 23 APRIL 2024 at noon (CET)
Apply online by clicking here
If you do not have a profile, register your profile on Arts Council Malta’s site here
Read the guidelines carefully here before submitting your application online.
Arts Council Malta, under the auspices of the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, has been entrusted to act as the Commissioner and the Contracting Authority, of Malta’ participation at the London Design Biennale 2025. Arts Council Malta is the national agency for development and investment in the cultural and creative sectors.
London Design Biennale is an international exhibition and thought leadership programme featuring world leading design innovation and creativity from countries across the globe. The event reveals the potential of design to respond radically to changing social and environmental needs, its contribution to the world economy and its power to drive change and find solutions for the benefit of all.
London Design Biennale is held in historic Somerset House, one of the UK’s finest and most beautiful 18th century buildings and is of international historical and architectural importance. The beautifully restored galleries at Somerset House provide participants with the opportunity to display their work in one of London’s leading venues.
The fifth London Design Biennale will take place from 5-29 June 2025. Each Biennale edition invites participants to respond to a universal theme set by the Artistic Director.
Malta’s Installation needs to take into consideration the indoor space in which it will be set up in. It will be a site specific, artistic installation which is immersive, interactive, and sustainable, as these are key criteria the London Design Biennale would be looking for in all projects. Artists/ designers are welcome to experiment with unconventional display and exhibition formats.
The London Design Biennale shall provide guidance and support throughout the design development phases, as well as technical assessment of the exhibition project with regards to the unique requirements of exhibiting at Somerset House/a listed building.
London Design Biennale, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, will act as liaison between the Malta Installation and the Venue and may make introductions to UK-based fabricators and contractors.
The call is open to Design Teams with a strong local and international track record, while multi-national Design Teams are encouraged. The lead applicant must be a Maltese citizen; or be in possession of a Malta residence permit; or of a Maltese citizenship certificate; or of a Maltese passport. The Design Team can include artists, architects, designers, researchers, curators, curatorial assistants, and any other related roles as required by the project.
Kindly find more information on the London Design Biennale
here
You can find the London Design Biennale Prospectus
here
You can find Space guidance specification
here and Plan and Elevation of Room
here and the East Wing Specification guide
here
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A. What is London Design Biennale?
London Design Biennale is a three-week long international exhibition and thought leadership programme located at historic Somerset House, in the heart of London. Featuring world leading design innovation, creativity and research from participants across the globe, the Biennale champions the importance and universal relevance of design in contemporary life and culture. The fourth edition of London Design Biennale will take place 5-29 June 2025.
B. Where will London Design Biennale take place?
The Biennale is held in London’s Somerset House. Somerset House is a historic Grade 1 listed building in Central London A cultural powerhouse for contemporary arts and culture, Somerset House is one of London’s most visited attractions with 3.2 million visitors annually. It has a track record of hosting large, ambitious, and international cultural events and a well-established infrastructure for supporting exhibitors.
C. What are the benefits of taking part in London Design Biennale?
With a global reach of international contacts through media channels and press, the London Design Biennale is an unrivalled opportunity to promote design identity and a nation's design strengths on a world stage. The network of participant nations and regions will gain international recognition and profile, forge links with a new generation of global leaders and creators and be part of a global conversation about design’s socioeconomic role in our collective future. The audience includes the international design community, business leaders, journalists, opinion formers, diplomats and trade officials, and also provides a highly accessible way to appreciate the power of design for those outside of the creative sector. June is at the centre of London’s cultural calendar, and as such, the Biennale is well placed to benefit from this. Participating designers and curators will also have the opportunity to meet the International Jury and present their ideas to these world-leading creative experts. By exhibiting at the Biennale, countries and territories will position themselves in the vanguard of global innovation and creativity.
D. What are the networking opportunities before and during the Biennale?
The Biennale will welcome around 50 countries, territories, and cities in 2025. This diverse gathering of international participants and designers provides an incredible opportunity for networking and cross-disciplinary discussion of the value of design. A large-scale launch event to celebrate the opening will be attended by VIPs, dignitaries, senior press, and international figures of eminence. All participating countries will be invited to be a part of this celebration. Medals will be awarded to the best national contributions at a special ceremony, which will be attended by diplomats, cultural institutions, and design leaders.
E. What are the commercial opportunities for participants?
Partnerships are encouraged to be forged at the London Design Biennale. It is an important opportunity for countries to celebrate their cultural assets and put a national designer or design practice on the world stage. It is encouraged that participating countries foster new business relationships and creative partnerships during the event. Many installations from the 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023 Biennales established a legacy for participants with some designs exhibited at subsequent international exhibitions or acquired by national collections. The Biennale is also an opportunity for each project's partners and sponsors to engage with the Biennale community and London’s design landscape to establish new connections in the UK and abroad.
F. What opportunities are there to raise awareness for the project?
The London Design Biennale’s international communication campaign reaches a wide global audience, through their newsletter, social media, website, advertising and comprehensive media coverage. In collaboration with global media partners and dedicated PR agency, the London Design Biennale will operate a comprehensive cross-channel promotional communication campaign. The Biennale is a truly global stage, and the presence of the international participants will be part of a visual conversation that will be captured, shared and amplified all over the world. Additionally, a print publication will be published to accompany the Biennale and will feature all participants.
The London Design Biennale also awards four medals each year to the best contributions from the participating teams, three of which are selected by the Biennale’s International Jury. The winner of the fourth medal is determined by public voting.
G. What opportunities are there to raise funding for the project?
The London Design Biennale strongly recommends that participants work with sponsors to secure funding towards their installation costs. Often a well-developed sponsorship proposal is used by applicants to help find and subsequently secure sponsorship.
