Overview
In partnership with twenty-four UK and Kenya higher education institutions and pioneering creative enterprises, we have recruited, selected and are now supporting, forty-six Fellows for the 2025 programme.
Our Fellows will represent the UK at the British Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition whilst developing their own creative and research projects during their one-month experience in Venice.
As part of the upcoming 2025 UK-Kenya Season of Culture, the British Council is delighted to welcome four Fellows from Kenya to join this year’s Programme.
Induction School
To prepare for a month in Venice, the Fellows participate in a seven-week online Induction programme focused on forging and deepening intercultural connections with one another. Through storytelling, deep listening exercises, and honest exploration into creative and collaborative processes, the Fellows nurture their skills, including empathy, intercultural fluency and teamwork. They are also trained for their role invigilating in the British Pavilion and consider different ways to create welcoming art spaces and greet people who may not speak their language and have vastly different levels of art expertise.
In small groups and with industry experts serving as mentors, the Fellows encourage one another to share the seeds of creative and scholarly projects, which they will develop further while in Venice.
They will also meet with the 2025 Commissioner and creative practitioner team to delve into the core themes of the exhibition and the many ways the viewers might respond.
On their return home from Venice, the Fellows co-design showcasing events to share their experiences and their projects and continue to co-create and convene beyond the Fellowships Programme.
'This made me feel a part of something wonderful. There were so many amazing insights, shares and talented people. It really helped me to feel part of this peer group that is vast and alive.'
Fellow, 2023
Programme Partners
This year, we're thrilled to welcome an incredible mix of twenty-four organisations from the UK and Kenya, a combination of both returning and new partners, including new creative enterprises and Higher Education Institutions. Each of our Partners is committed to forging creative, academic and professional pathways for a more inclusive, representative and creative workforce.
