Arts is a cornerstone of our mission to create a friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and the wider world. We find new ways of connecting with and understanding each other through the arts, to develop stronger creative sectors around the world that are better connected with the UK.
In Australia, the British Council is active and well known in the arts as a partner and producer of cutting-edge programmes. Our work in the arts has helped to introduce Australian audiences to the best of UK creativity, created new opportunities for artists and organisations and fostered international collaboration and networks.
In recent years, we have worked across art forms and partnered with festivals, venues and producing companies to bring UK artists and leaders to Australia. To name just a few examples, we have supported UK artists to exhibit in the 2014, 2016 and 2018 Biennale of Sydney, facilitated performances at the Adelaide Festival, supported award-winning novelists such as Jeanette Winterson, Hisham Matar, Angela Saini and Yrsa Daley-Ward to speak at the Sydney Writers' Festival, and accompanied a number of Australian artistic directors and producers to attend specially-curated Edinburgh Festival showcases.
The best way to stay up to date with our recent work is by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. You can also find out more about some of our recent work in the arts by browsing the pages within this section.