Overview
As exhibition ambassadors, the sixty 2026 Fellows will invigilate the galleries, engage visiting members of the public and create moments of intercultural dialogue and connection. During their time in Venice, they also have the opportunity to develop their own research and creative projects, using the Biennale as a platform for artistic, scholarly and professional development. Through these contributions, often created in collaboration with one another, the Fellows elevate the British Pavilion to become an important reference point for universities, artists and creative organisations around the world.
In partnership with thirty-five UK Higher Education institutions and creative enterprises, we are supporting sixty Fellows in 2026.
Induction School
To prepare for a month in Venice, the Fellows participate in a six-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 as invigilators for the British Pavilion, during which they consider different ways to create welcoming art spaces and greet people who may not speak their language or who 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 develop while in Venice.
They will also meet with the 2026 Commissioner and Artist (Lubaina Himid) 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.
The application deadline for 2026 Fellows has now passed. The Open Call for 2027 Programme Partners will open in June 2027. Please contact Sophie Lucas, Venice Partnerships and Programme Manager, venicefellowships@britishcouncil.org, for further details about the opportunity.
