UK Seasons and Spotlights

Supporting large-scale civic and cultural public engagement moments and anniversaries across the UK.  

A Colossal Wave, Hull City of Culture 2017
A Colossal Wave, Hull City of Culture 2017. Photo by Sandra Campione © British Council

Our UK Spotlights and Seasons programmes provide international collaboration opportunities for large-scale civic and cultural events and anniversaries taking place across the UK.  

Past projects have included UK Cities of Culture including Coventry City of Culture, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UNBOXED Festival, 75th Anniversary of the Edinburgh Festivals, 100 Years of the BBC, Belfast International Arts Festival 60th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. 

We work to create international connections for these UK projects, events, and anniversaries through our global network and in partnership and collaboration with UK Cities of Culture, Festivals, City Councils, and cultural organisations.

UK Cities of Culture

UK Cities of Culture is a UK-wide government-led programme that selects a city to set out their vision for culture-led regeneration every four years. We partner with UK Cities of Culture to bring international perspectives to each city's cultural programme.

Previous Cities of Culture

Leeds City of Culture 2023

As International Project Partner, our support enabled international connections and created lasting collaborations for artists, cultural organisations and schools across Leeds and around the world.

Find out more about Leeds 2023

Coventry City of Culture 2021

Coventry's vision as the City of Culture 2021 was to focus on inclusion and diversity through programmes and events that encourage activism, civic participation and digital innovation.

Coventry used the City of Culture to improve sustainability, tourism and heritage and making the city an attractive place to live and work.

We worked with the UK City of Culture Trust and many cultural and civic partners in the city to support a wide range of international connections.

Find out more about Coventry 2021

Belfast 2024

In partnership with Belfast 2024, Belfast City Council and Household Belfast, we have commissioned a series of international creative works that explore the theme of Art and the Public Realm. Read more about Belfast 2024, and the series of international commissions taking place in Belfast, Red Sky at Night.

Eurovision Song Contest 2023 presenters and Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra congratulate the ESC 2023 winner Loreen  © BBC

Eurovision

We worked with Liverpool as International Partner for EuroFestival in 2023, which resulted in significant Ukrainian programming and collaborations for the Festival, schools partnerships and a major piece of research on the cultural relations impact of mega-events.

See also