Our work in Visual Arts
We support UK visual arts organisations and artists to make connections and form collaborations around the world, through exchange programmes, delegations, showcasing opportunities and grants.
Through partnerships with artists, curators and arts organisations in the UK and internationally, we develop collaborative programmes that deliver mutual benefit and share the best of the UK contemporary visual arts sector with the rest of the world.
Art works from the British Council Collection have been exhibited in over 100 countries and the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale has helped launch the international careers of some of the most influential British artists of the last century.
Connections Through Culture 2026
Applications are now open for Connections Through Culture grants, supporting artistic collaboration between the UK and participating countries around the world. In 2026, CTC incorporates the Visual Arts grants programme formerly known as Biennials Connect. Apply by 12 August.
British Council Collection
Our Collection of works of art, craft and design showcase the best of UK-based contemporary visual artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Projects
Learn more about our work in Visual Arts.
Events
Our exhibitions and events bring together artists and curators to share ideas and knowledge between nations.
Resources
Explore our latest Visual Arts resources, including research, guides, toolkits and reports.
Our World Connected
Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo – who has been part of our Art Exchange Moving Image project and one of the curators of the exhibition at the Africa Centre – speaks to host Christine Wilson on this episode of Our World Connected podcast. Can art and architecture be a tool for repair and what happens when exhibitions themselves move across borders?