What is the Venice Fellowship Programme?

The School of Cultural and Creative Arts have partnered with the British Council to be part of the Venice Fellowships Programme.

The Venice Fellowship Programme sends approximately 70 UK-based students and researchers to the Biennale for one month each year. Two places are available to University for the Creative Arts students.

Fellows spend half their time working at the British Pavilion, acting as Exhibition Ambassadors and interacting with visitors and supporting the exhibition. The other half of the time spent in Venice is dedicated to students being able to develop or exhibit their own independent research or creative project, inspired by the Biennale and Venice.

Two UCA students from the School of Cultural and Creative Arts will spend a month in Venice during the 2026 Art Biennale.

A key part of the British Council’s presence in Venice, the Venice Fellowships Programme aims to support the exhibition programme and offer a platform for the development of new creative careers and future leaders. The successful candidates will represent the UK on an international level, as well as broaden their perspective, make connections and develop their creative practice.

If you have any questions about the Fellowship please contact the UCA project lead, Dr Caroline Molloy: Caroline.Molloy@uca.ac.uk.

Funding and eligibility

Fellows receive a grant of £3,300 to help support the cost of travel, accommodation and living costs.

Students must be registered as postgraduates (MA, MPhil or PhD) at UCA at the time of application. 

 

Application process and key dates

  1. Download the application form as a Word document and complete
  2. Complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (This is voluntary and anonymous) 
  3. Send a copy of your CV with the completed application Form to Caroline.Molloy@uca.ac.uk by November 20 to be reviewed by the internal research panel. Any applications without a CV will not be considered. 

We welcome applications in written, audio or video format. Candidates are welcome to use the method that is most comfortable for them. Please see SECTION 4 for further information about submitting an application in video or audio formats. 

An overview of the opportunity hosted by the British Council will be presented on:

Application deadlines

Applications should be submitted by 20 November 2026, 5pm. In the interest of fairness, late applications will not be accepted.

Please note that places are exceptionally limited, and the competition will be strong.

A University panel will review all applications against the questions in the application form. Between three and five students will be shortlisted for each place available and will be put forward to the British Council for final selection.

All applicants will be informed as to whether or not their application was shortlisted by UCA. The British Council will review the shortlisted applications and notify the final candidates in early January 2026. A virtual interview with candidates may be required.

 

Successful applicants will receive full training by the British Council prior to beginning their Fellowship. This will include participating in 15 hours of compulsory online training and collaborative workshops to know more about Venice, La Biennale and British Pavilion exhibition content. It also provides a chance to network and meet others in the cohort of Fellows with which you will be working during your time in Venice.

Through their training and experience in supporting the exhibition at the British Pavilion, Fellows will learn techniques for enhancing a visitor’s understanding and expanding their perspectives on the show. The stewarding experience provides them with valuable work experience and confidence in contributing to a gallery setting.

After the Fellowship, students that have been supported will be expected to engage with the (online or in person) cultural events by UCA to help encourage other students to take part in future opportunities.