British Council Venice Fellowship Programme 2026

Outer Spaces network artist Connie Woods has been selected as Outer Spaces Fellow at the 61st Venice Biennale 2026 as part of the British Council's 2026 Venice Fellowship Programme.

Outer Spaces is delighted to be working with the British Council again, as a partner for the 2026 Venice Fellowships Programme, to offer a unique opportunity for an early career artist from our network to spend a month in Venice during the biennale. Working alongside a cohort of their peers, Fellows will be given the chance to broaden their perspective, make new connections, network and develop their creative practice.

British artist, Lubaina Himid RA, CBE will represent Great Britain and deliver a major solo exhibition of new work at the British Pavilion. 'Predicting History: Testing Translation' explores the nature of belonging and how to make a home in a new place. As Exhibition Ambassador, Woods will engage visiting members of the public at the British Pavilion to enrich and activate the exhibition programme and expand the impact of the show. During her time in Venice, the artist will also have the opportunity to develop her own creative project and use the Biennale as a platform for artistic and professional development.

Connie Wood Gundry in her Outer Spaces studio, Glasgow

Connie Woods is a Glasgow based artist and creative facilitator. Her practice involves the process of gathering as research, exploring materiality, drawing on humour, curiosity and instinctual making. She relies on untraditional art materials such as discarded objects, people watching, list and diagram making, and considering how these materials can be transformed through craft. Collected materials are incorporated into the narratives of her drawings, short fiction writing, and sculptural installations.

Whilst in Venice, Woods will use creative writing, drawing and video to explore the historic and contemporary representation of cultural identity and status through clothing. Her writing process will be informed by archival research, drawing and social observation in Venice. 

"I'm lucky enough to be spending a month working closely within Lubaina Himid's exhibition in the British Pavilion, hopefully having many conversations, and meeting new people. I will be able to dedicate time to writing and drawing in a new environment, exploring the city and its museums. I feel excited to be both an insider and outsider, learning from working inside the pavilion, and observing the runnings of the world's biggest arts festival - which happens to be in such a unique and historical city. I think this experience will be inspiring, and push me to produce a body of writing that captures my time at the biennale. I'd like to share the outcomes as a publication when I'm back in Glasgow, and through presenting my work with the community of fellows." - Connie Woods

More details about the artist's plans for the project and their time in Venice will be shared via our website and social channels. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.