Arts
Our global arts team works with the best of British creative talent to develop innovative, high-quality events and collaborations that link thousands of artists and cultural institutions around the world, drawing them into a closer relationship with the UK.
Current activities
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Out of Britain
For the first time in Saudi Arabia and in collaboration with the National Museum in Riyadh, the British Council is exhibiting selected artworks from its Collection. 'Out of Britain' explores the theme of the British landscape, from the urban to the rural and the UK’s encircling coastline, including works by LS Lowry, Paul Nash, Richard Long, Frank Auerbach and Victor Pasmore.
The exhibition is also supported by a full, month-long program of public lectures, workshops for artists and teachers as well as a nationwide online art competition.
Image: Paul Nash, 'Landscape of the Megaliths' (1934). © Tate, London 2005
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Venice Takeaway: Ideas to Change British Architecture
We have now announced the names of the teams and individuals who will undertake explorations around the world to gather material for the British Pavilion at the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale.
The ten ‘Explorers’ chosen by the Advisory Panel include practising architects, a curator, writers, journalists, teachers and campaigners. The Explorers' projects will focus on case studies and examples that are pertinent to the British and international context, including housing, the design of schools, risk consciousness and the role of the architect.
Noticeboard
Jeremy Deller chosen for Venice
The British Council is delighted to announce that Jeremy Deller has been selected to represent Britain at the 55th Venice Biennale. He will present a solo exhibition in the British Pavilion, which will run from June to November 2013.
British Council Film Collection
This archive of over 120 short documentary films was made by the British Council during the 1940s to show the world how Britain lived. They are now available to download and view online... for free.
BT River of Music
A spectacular weekend of free music from a range of the 205 Olympic and Paralympic nations, presented at iconic sites along the River Thames this July, including collaborative performances from Matthew Herbert and Transglobal Underground.
Highlights
Cymbeline at the Globe
British Council Country Director Tony Calderbank blogs about South Sudan Theatre Company’s recent performance of Shakespeare’s 'Cymbeline' in Juba Arabic at the Globe Theatre, as part of their Globe to Globe season.
UK Now
Taking place between April and November 2012 in cities across China, UK Now is the largest festival of its kind, presenting an exciting programme of contemporary and classical artistic work from a range of art forms.
Remembering Henry Moore
As our exhibition of Henry Moore's work in Russia comes to an end, Mary Moore talks openly about growing up as the daughter of the celebrated artist and sculptor in an interview with the British Council‘s Director Visual Arts Andrea Rose.
