Arts

The UK is pulsing with a spectacular range of contemporary artists who are defining twenty-first century culture. From the US, the British Council is bringing the best of the British arts scene to your doorstep by nurturing long-term, rewarding partnerships between the US and UK artists and arts organizations.

Our US arts office, based in New York, connects British and American artists by offering information, providing resources, and promoting opportunities to see and hear new British work. The British Council is not a funding organization in the traditional sense, but instead encourages cooperation between British and American arts professionals.

Browse the sections below to learn more about the work we’re currently supporting, and follow the latest news on the UK art scene on Twitter using #UKartnews.

• Working with US arts organizations
• Working with UK arts organizations
• Our current projects

Still have questions about our arts work in the US? Take a look at our frequently asked questions page or e-mail us for additional information.

Architecture, Design and Fashion are amongst the most powerful areas of creative expression within Britain today. Around the world, we work with designers and architects on exhibitions, seminars, workshops, collaborative projects, educational initiatives and specialists’ visits to the UK. Find out more.

The British Council’s Creative and Cultural Economy program connects people who work in and inform the creative and cultural industries around the world with those in the UK. Find out more about our projects.

Around the world, we work with arts managers and performing arts companies to bring all styles of dance to new audiences – from contemporary dance and live art to more classical forms. Find out more about the UK Dance scene.

Contemporary British drama is inventive and immersive, bold and boundary-breaking. We work with presenters, curators and other arts professionals to bring cutting-edge performances from the UK to new audiences and to build long-term artistic partnerships. Find out more about Drama in the UK.

The British Council Film Department promotes contemporary and innovative UK film to audiences around the world through showcases, workshops, festivals, conferences, tours, residences and virtual projects. Find out more about British film.

We promote cultural understanding and exchange through writing and reading projects relevant to our audiences around the world. Find out more about British Literature.

From electronica to jazz, traditional to folk, and classical to indie, we work across all genres of music to bring the latest sounds from UK artists to people around the world in partnership with other organizations. Find out more about UK music.

The visual arts are among the most powerful and influential areas within the arts in Britain today. Covering a vast range of disciplines, from the fine arts through to the very latest in digital art, UK artists are pushing the boundaries of their practice to the limit and looking to the future. Find out more about visual arts.