On 23-24 March 2017 over 50 students and volunteers from universities and organisations across the UK gathered at the Green Rooms, the UK's first arts hotel, in Wood Green, London for a Venice Fellowships Induction School.
Over two days, this year’s Venice Fellows heard from past Fellows about their time in Venice at the British Pavilion, improved their understanding of access with a workshop from Attitude is Everything, and learnt about the importance of hand gestures in Italy (courtesy of Bruno Munari and artist Hannah Lees).
The curators and commissioner of the British Pavilion gave the Fellows insight into Phyllida Barlow’s work and her plans to transform the Pavilion with her sculptural installation. The Fellows were able to get creative themselves with artist Lucy Steggals, explored the streets of Wood Green with their cameras and heard from artist Robert Orchardson about the importance of place in making. Our British Council team led a talk and small group work to discuss the fellows’ initial ideas for the research projects that they will undertake in Venice. We are looking forward to seeing the outcomes!
Alongside practical invigilation training, curatorial talks and research workshops, the Induction School was a great opportunity for the Fellows to get to know one another and feast on Caribbean food at Green Rooms.
“The induction days were an engaging way in which to learn more about what I could expect from my time in Venice. It was an excellent way to network and to ask questions. I now feel more confident of what is expected of me during my time there and I can’t wait to get started.” Rachel Goodwin, University of Dundee, Venice Fellow 2017
We are delighted to be working with 18 partner universities and organisations to give up to 60 Fellows the opportunity to spend a month in Venice, doing research and invigilating the British Pavilion One of our partners, Professor Allan Walker, Dean, School of Arts and Media, University of Salford, said:
“To be in Venice as part of the Biennale is one of the great art world experiences and I am delighted to congratulate our three students on their success in gaining a British Council Venice Fellowship.”
