Our work in arts and culture transforms lives, creates positive change and stimulates global conversations about the issues facing us all.
We foster new alliances between the UK's creative sectors and the rest of the world, encouraging global conversations and helping artists and cultural professionals to achieve their ambitions and realise their potential.
From championing disabled artists and supporting women in cultural leadership to enabling projects that directly tackle climate change and the loss of cultural heritage, our work broadens perspectives and promotes equality and diversity across the world.
We work in more than
100
countries globally
In 2023 we reached
113.9m+
people in person and online
In 2023 we engaged
25.7m
people through our arts work globally
In 2023 we worked with
2,000+
arts organisations globally
What we offer
We support the international ambitions of the UK and global arts and creative sectors, helping artists and cultural professionals to achieve their ambitions and realise their potential.
We do this by:
Funding international opportunities for cultural exchange
We provide grants for artistic collaboration and exchange, the protection of cultural heritage and to respond to the key challenges of our time. Our opportunities are open to individuals and cultural organisations of all sizes and cover a wide range of disciplines and practices.
Sharing knowledge and insight
Our research and thought-leadership programmes support policy change by demonstrating the impact that culture and creativity has at an individual and economic level and advocating for the role of arts in building sustainable communities.
Visits and delegations bring policymakers, cultural entrepreneurs, artists and cultural organisations together to share, exchange and learn from each other.
Bringing art and audiences together
Working across artistic disciplines and sectors, we celebrate innovative and exciting ideas, sharing creativity with audiences worldwide through exhibitions, high-profile events, festivals and seasons, and performances that generate rich conversations between people across borders.
Our global network
Our team of UK-based specialists cover Architecture, Design and Fashion; Culture and Global Challenges; Film; Literature; Music; Theatre and Dance; and Visual Arts.
Our Arts teams in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales bring local knowledge and networks to broker connections and ensure our international work reflects the diversity and priorities of the devolved nations of the UK.
With a presence in more than 100 countries, our overseas Arts teams hold the key to an unrivalled network of international artists and institutions, supporting long-lasting global connections with the nations of the UK.
How we work
The British Council builds connections between the UK and global creative sectors, supporting the brokering of new partnerships, advocating for arts and culture on the world stage and facilitating dialogue around key global issues.
We do this in three ways:
Cultural Exchange
We connect the UK's arts and culture sectors with their peers and with audiences internationally to drive greater engagement with and favourability towards UK arts and culture.
Creative Economy
Combining pioneering expertise with local knowledge, we champion the creative economy as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Culture and Global Challenges
We support the arts sector and policymakers to develop their creative practice and networks, respond to major social and environmental issues in their work and support sustainable development.
About the British Council
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
