Our work

Our Arts programme shares the diversity and distinctive creative voices of all four countries of the UK with global audiences, both face-to-face and online​. 

Large spherical papier mache sculptures of various sizes painted red, yellow and grey, mounted on sticks on the right/foreground of the image. Behind the sculptures the side of a redbrick building with a white balustrade can be seen. In the background on the left of the image stands another grey, red and yellow sculpture, which is shaped like a large placard mounted on two sticks, with two large circular holes cut into it.
Installation view, folly, Phyllida Barlow, British Pavilion, Venice, 2017. Photo by Ruth Clark © British Council. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

We work across a range of sectors and disciplines in more than 100 countries across seven regions globally. 

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.

Our portfolio of flagship global programmes share the diversity and distinctive creative voices of all four countries of the UK with global audiences, both face-to-face and online​. 

On this page you can find out more about our major global initiatives, explore all our current projects and programmes, and browse our work by sector.

See all current projects and programmes

Explore our work by sector

Sonic Futures: How Technology is Guiding Electronic Music © FACT

Creative Economy

Our work in Creative Economy supports people around the world to shape and share...

Two women stand close together, one holds a notebook and is pointing to something out of frame, and the other holds a video camera.

Film

We celebrate the innovation, diversity, creativity and excellence of UK film...

British Poet Daljit Nagra stands on stage and animatedly reads from an open book

Literature

Our work with the UK literature and publishing sectors creates opportunities for...

Two men either side of a device one is holding between them while also wearing headphones. Musicians in Residence Brazil Nathaniel Mann Wauja. Photo by Jean Nunes (c) British Council

Music

We believe in the power of music to connect people across cultures. We work with......

A female performer wearing a white dress stands on a stage dimly lit by blue-purple lighting. She is gesturing towards the audience with her left hand. She stands in front of a tall white screen and there are three chairs arranged around her. At the top left of the frame, the bottom of a screen or projection is just visible, which seems to show the bottom half of a figure in white with long dark hair.

Theatre and Dance

Our work in theatre and dance creates new international opportunities for the UK...

Feeling Her Way by Sonia Boyce, British Pavilion exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2022

Visual Arts

We support UK visual arts organisations and artists to make connections and form...

See also

Two male performers stand next to each other in a white space. The man on the left stands in the foreground, bending forwards at the waist with his right leg outstretched. The performer behind and to his right uses a wheelchair and sits with his back to the camera.

Who we are

Through our work in arts and culture, we transform lives, create positive change...

Installation view of Phyllida Barlow's 'folly', British Pavilion exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2017.

Support us

Support our work showcasing the best of UK art on the global stage.