Visual Arts

While we are not able to offer practical support and advocacy for projects or exhibitions outside of our existing programmes, our team are able to offer basic guidance on international working and can connect you with our overseas network where appropraite.

The email address for enquiries is visual.arts@britishcouncil.org

Please note that Visual Arts is not currently accepting speculative applications for project funding. Our Grants to Artists scheme ceased in 2010.

• Read our News pages and follow us on Instagram and Twitter for updates on visual arts residencies, open calls and other opportunities for artists, visual arts professionals and organisations from British Council offices and regions around the world.
• Check the British Council Arts website for wider British Council opportunities for artists, creatives, professionals and organisations.

You can read the British Council Collection's policy to find out more about what we purchase and how we collect.

Please note that we do not accept donations of work by artists not already represented in the Collection. 

We are happy to loan works for exhibitions in the UK or elsewhere, whenever possible. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee availability as many works are included in our own exhibitions or could be on loan elsewhere. Written requests should be addressed to:

Head of Collection
Visual Arts Department
Arts Group
British Council
1 Redman Place 
London, E20 1JQ

Or you can email visual.arts@britishcouncil.org for the attention of the Head of Collection.

We ask that requests should be submitted at least six months before the opening date of the exhibition. We expect borrowers to meet all associated costs involved including insurance and transport. 

Our Collection has no permanent gallery so it is not always possible to view works. A large proportion of our Collection is on loan to other major museum and gallery exhibitions in the UK and overseas. Through this website, you can find out where works are currently on show.

If you are interested in seeing specific works and cannot find details of them on the website, please contact the Head of Collection: visual.arts@britishcouncil.org

A large proportion of our images may be licensed via The Bridgeman Art Library and also via the DACS image licensing sevice Artimage. 

All image requests should be directed to visual.arts@britishcouncil.org 

All vacancies within Visual Arts are publicly advertised on the British Council Jobs portal. 

 All our grants and funding opportunities are strategic and available through our programmes. We are not able to respond to ad-hoc requests for funding.