British Council Venice Fellowship 2026 – School of Art History, University of St Andrews

The School of Art History is delighted to be joining the British Council Venice Fellowship as a Programme Partner for the third time in 2026. We are looking to recruit two student Fellows to this exciting opportunity at the Venice Biennale’s 61st International Art Exhibition – In Minor Keys by Koyo Kouoh – from May to November 2026

The British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, 2024.   

UK at the Venice Biennale: 2026 British Pavilion Exhibition

The British Council has been the commissioner of the British Pavillion at the Venice Biennale since 1937.

In 2026 the world-renowned British artist, Lubaina Himid RA, CBE (b. 1954, Zanzibar), will represent Great Britain and deliver a major solo exhibition of new work at the British Pavilion. Known for a pioneering practice which addresses themes of race, history, feminism, cultural memory and identity, Lubaina Himid frequently employs storytelling and historical research to challenge dominant Eurocentric narratives and highlight the overlooked contributions of Black figures in Western history.

What is the Venice Fellowship Programme?

The Venice Fellowships Programme is a key part of the British Council’s presence in Venice, supporting the exhibition as well as being a platform for the development of emerging creative professionals and future leaders. Every year the British Council sends approximately 60 UK-based students and researchers to the Biennale for one month.

The Programme offers a unique opportunity for emerging creatives to spend a month in Venice during the world’s most important art and architecture exhibitions, broadening their perspective, making new connections, networking and developing their creative practice.

As Exhibition Ambassadors at the British Pavilion, the Fellows invigilate and activate the exhibition. They engage visiting members of the public and expand the impact of the show. Alongside this practical residency, Fellows have the opportunity to develop their own research or practical creative projects and use the Biennale as a platform for artistic and professional development. Through these contributions, Fellows elevate the British Pavilion to an important reference point for universities and creative organisations around the world.

For more information, please see the Open Call for Fellows and the Guidance Notes for Fellows.

Funding

Each Fellow will receive a Travel Grant of £3,300 (three thousand and three hundred British pounds).

How to Apply

Your application consists of three parts:

1. A completed copy of the Application Form, which you should download from the British Council website.
2. A copy of your CV
3. The Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. This is voluntary and anonymous.

Please email your completed Application Form and CV to arthist@st-andrews.ac.uk by Monday 17 November 2025, 5pm UK time. Please state British Council Venice Fellowship Programme 2026 in the email subject heading.

Please submit the format of application which is most accessible to you (either written, audio or by video). If you have a large audio/video file which can only be sent via a Onedrive link, please also copy in Graeme Hyland in the School Office: gjh5@st-andrews.ac.uk

A panel of staff in the School of Art History will assess your application against the questions in the form. Interviews for longlisted candidates will be held in week 11 or week 12. The panel will then recommend a final shortlist of between 2-5 candidates per place to the British Council.

The final selection of candidates will be made by the British Council in December 2025. The British Council will notify successful candidates in January 2026.

Eligibility and Access

Please read through the Fellows Eligibility and Requirements section of the Guidance Notes. Please note that we are currently only able to offer this opportunity to 3^rd year Art History students (single or joint Honours students).

The British Council welcomes creative individuals from all backgrounds, areas of knowledge and/or academic departments, and we particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups in the creative sector, including those from the following: global ethnic majority, disabled, LGBTQIA+, and those facing social barriers to accessing the arts, the creative industries, and other economic opportunities.

We encourage applications from D/deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent individuals. We also recognize that applicants may need to put in place unusual/atypical childcare arrangements (beyond those used routinely). We invite candidates to submit their application in a format that is most accessible for them (written/audio/video), using support workers as necessary, to ensure it is submitted in written or spoken English.

Information Sessions

Online British Council Information and Q&A session: Option 1

Monday 20 October 2025, 12pm-1pm BST

Register here: Teams link

 

In person information session with Dr Catherine Spencer

Wednesday 29 October 2025, 2-3pm BST

Arts Seminar Room 2, Arts Building

 

Online British Council Information and Q&A session: Option 2

Wednesday 19 November 2025, 12pm-1pm GMT

Register here: Teams link

 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Catherine Spencer (ces24@st-andrews.ac.uk)

You can find some details on the programme below but please be aware that this information may have accessibility issues. If you need an alternative format please email the School at arthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. 

British Council Venice fellowships programme (PDF)