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
-
A spectacular performance by the Matthew Herbert Big Band headlines Resound
A night of celebration and unique music collaborations at the Barbican - including artists as varied as the Guillemots, Bassekou Kouyate, Justin Adams, Karine Polwart and Music from the Penguin Café – helped to highlight the innovative cultural relations work of the British Council's Music department. The headline performance of the evening was the show-stopping Matthew Herbert Big Band alongside Eska Mtungwazi and the 100-strong The Goldsmiths Vocal Ensemble.
Image left: Eska Mtungwazi live at Resound. Photo: Frank Noon.
Click here to find out more about Resound and watch a video interview with Matthew Herbert and Eska
-
Deller and Kane present artists' views of Britain
MY YARD is the latest in a series of British Council Collection exhibitions at the newly restored Whitechapel Gallery. Curated by the artists Jeremy Deller and Alan Kane, the exhibition is a celebration of British people and places.
The selection of works examines Britain’s industrial history and urban realities as seen by artists throughout the 20th century, including L.S. Lowry, Ben Nicholson, John Davies and Edward Wadsworth.
Image left: My Yard (from Folk Archive: Contemporary Popular Art from the UK) Made in HMP Atkinson Unit (2004). © The Artists
-
Cultural Olympiad launches programme celebrating arts, culture and sport by disabled and deaf people
Unlimited, a £3 million project billed as the UK's largest disability arts programme, launched on 7 October. Part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Unlimited will commission new work by disabled and deaf artists, and help artists develop their skills and present their work to new audiences nationally and abroad.
Image left: Tony Hall with dancers from Cando2 - CandoCo's Youth Dance Company. © LOCOG
-
Steve McQueen at the Venice Biennale
Steve McQueen represents Britain this year at the 53rd Venice Biennale. For his exhibition in the British Pavilion, McQueen is presenting a new film entitled Giardini, inspired by the area of Venice where the Pavilion is situated. The exhibition will be shown from 7 June to 22 November - please be aware that we can only accommodate 60 people at a time, so timed entry at 40 minute intervals will apply.
Image left: Still from Giardini 2009 © Steve McQueen
Noticeboard
Fifth Curator shortlist announced
This unique opportunity for an aspiring curator to select an exhibition of works from the British Council Collection for the Whitechapel Gallery, London, attracted 161 applications from 47 countries from Argentina to Zimbabwe.
UK design talent participates in Experimenta
Six designers and collectives - Åbäke, Linda Brothwell, Anthony Burrill, Fabien Cappello, Ben Kelly and public works - have been commissioned to create a series of site-specific commissions in Lisbon, as part of Experimenta 2009.
Bengali Film Festival
Three exciting films by acclaimed director Satyajit Ray, curated by film author and former Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Mark Cousins, toured venues across Scotland.
Highlights
National Dance Company Wales take UK contemporary dance to China
Building on its growing reputation on the international stage NDCW made its debut tour to three cities in China in October. The flagship arts company toured South West China for 10 days, introducing new audiences to contemporary dance from the UK.
UAE based entrepreneur wins international design award
Rami Farook was named International Young Design Entrepreneur 2009 at a climactic awards ceremony hosted by 100% Design.
First ever National Youth Orchestra of Iraq established
A young Iraqi pianist has realised her dream by starting the first National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. After months of hard work by Zuhal Sultan, the orchestra’s school opened for two weeks of rehearsals to prepare for their first performance in Iraq.
