The British Council has selected two outstanding students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) for its prestigious Venice Biennale Fellowships programme. This remarkable achievement will see MA Fine Art student Ahmed Umer Farooqi and PhD student Camille Serisier travel to Venice for a month-long immersive programme during summer 2026, representing the United Kingdom at one of the world’s most internationally recognised art festivals.
The Venice Biennale: A Global Art Phenomenon
The Venice Biennale stands as one of the most significant events in the international art calendar, established in 1895 and held every two years in the historic Italian city. The 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale represents the pinnacle of contemporary art practice, bringing together artists, curators, and creative practitioners from across the globe to explore pressing artistic and cultural themes.
For emerging artists and researchers, participation in the Venice Biennale offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with groundbreaking contemporary art, network with leading practitioners, and develop their own creative practice within a historically rich artistic environment. The British Council’s Venice Fellowships programme provides a structured pathway for UK-based artists to access this extraordinary event, serving as ambassadors for British art while pursuing their individual research interests.
The 2026 edition of the Venice Biennale holds particular significance as the British Pavilion will be curated by the renowned British artist Lubaina Himid, known for her powerful explorations of race, history, and representation in contemporary art. This context adds an extra layer of meaning to the UCA students’ fellowship experience, allowing them to engage directly with Himid’s vision for British artistic representation on the world stage.
UCA Students: Their Paths to Venice
Ahmed Umer Farooqi: Exploring Urban Transformation
Ahmed Umer Farooqi, currently pursuing his MA Fine Art at UCA, brings a distinctive research focus to the Venice Fellowship programme. His work examines the relationship between cities, transformation, and the politics embedded within built environments. For his Venice project, Ahmed plans to begin with a fundamental observation: how the city reveals itself through its bricks.
“Constantly replaced by rising water, salt, and time, forming a subtle patchwork of old and new, each brick carries traces of erosion, survival, and transformation,” Ahmed explained. His research approach views urban maintenance not merely as preservation but as a form of archival practice, where the shifting surfaces of Venice become a metaphor for displacement and layered histories.
Ahmed’s work will explore how cycles of occupation, from colonial movements to contemporary tourism, leave their marks on the urban fabric. This research opportunity in Venice represents a unique chance to engage with these themes in a city where the relationship between history, environment, and human activity is particularly visible and complex.
“I’m most excited about being in Venice itself, encountering these textures and histories up close, and engaging with a community of artists and researchers, where the city becomes both site and collaborator,” Ahmed stated, highlighting his enthusiasm for the collaborative and immersive nature of the fellowship.
Camille Serisier: Documenting Artistic Reception
Camille Serisier, a PhD student at UCA, approaches the Venice Fellowship with a focus on artistic reception and documentation. Her project involves creating a reflexive journal documenting Lubaina Himid’s 2026 British Pavilion installation, incorporating creative writing, drawings, and photographs that capture both her experiences of Himid’s work and her observations about how it is received by audiences.
This approach aligns closely with Camille’s doctoral research, which forms part of UCA’s significant research project, Fast Forward: Women in Photography. The Venice project serves as a pilot for how she might collaborate with museums and galleries in the future that are interested in engaging with diverse voices and perspectives.
“I was surprised and delighted to be selected for the 2026 Fellowship programme,” Camille shared. “The Venice Biennale is an amazing event, bringing together some of the most exciting creative practitioners in the world to explore the pressing issues of our time. The opportunity to explore the Biennale with a group of Fellows, each with their own intriguing forms of creative engagement, is a gift.”
Camille’s project exemplifies how the Venice Fellowships programme supports not only artistic production but also the critical and analytical frameworks that surround contemporary art practice.
UCA’s Role in Supporting Emerging Artists
The success of UCA students in securing these prestigious fellowships reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic boundaries. MA Photography Lead Dr. Caroline Molloy supervised the student applications and led on UCA’s successful bid to become one of the 2026 Venice Fellowship Programme Partners.
This partnership position highlights UCA’s standing within the UK creative arts sector and its ability to prepare students for international recognition. The university provides a supportive environment where students can develop ambitious research projects and gain the skills necessary to compete for prestigious opportunities on the global stage.
UCA’s research-led approach to teaching ensures that students develop not only technical skills but also the critical frameworks and professional networks necessary for successful careers in the creative industries. The Venice Fellowship represents the kind of transformative opportunity that UCA works to provide for its most promising students.
The Value of International Art Fellowships
For emerging artists and researchers, participation in programmes like the British Council’s Venice Fellowships offers significant professional development benefits. These opportunities provide:
- International exposure: Fellows represent the UK on a global stage, building their professional profiles and expanding their networks across the international art world.
- Research development: The structured yet flexible nature of the programme allows fellows to pursue ambitious research projects in a supportive environment.
- Professional connections: Fellows engage with leading artists, curators, and institutions, building relationships that can shape their future careers.
- Curatorial engagement: Working within the context of a major international exhibition provides insight into how art is presented and received on a global scale.
The British Council’s Venice Fellowships programme specifically supports emerging artists who demonstrate potential for significant contributions to contemporary art practice. Selection for the programme represents a meaningful endorsement of an artist’s trajectory and potential.
Looking Forward: Following the UCA Fellows
As Ahmed and Camille prepare for their summer in Venice, their journeys will provide inspiration for current and prospective UCA students interested in pursuing international opportunities in the creative arts. Both fellows maintain active presences on social media where they share their creative practice and experiences.
Those interested in following Ahmed’s journey can find him on Instagram at @thatahmed, while Camille shares her work at @camilleserisier. The British Council’s arts programme (@BritishArts) also provides updates on the broader fellowship cohort and the British Pavilion activities throughout the Biennale.
The Venice Biennale Fellowships represent just one example of the international opportunities available to creative arts students in the UK. For prospective students considering pathways into the creative industries, such programmes demonstrate the potential for academic achievement to translate into significant professional opportunities.
Explore Creative Arts Education at UCA
The achievement of UCA students in securing these prestigious fellowships reflects the university’s commitment to excellence in creative arts education. If you’re considering a career in the creative industries and want to study at an institution that supports ambitious student outcomes, UCA offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across fine art, photography, and many other creative disciplines.
To learn more about studying at the University for the Creative Arts and the opportunities available to students, explore the university’s course offerings and upcoming events.
Register for an upcoming open day to visit UCA’s campuses and speak with current students and staff about creative arts education. Open days provide valuable opportunities to experience the university’s facilities and learn about the support available for ambitious creative projects.
Request a prospectus to receive detailed information about UCA’s courses, facilities, and student support services. The prospectus includes information about the application process, portfolio requirements, and scholarship opportunities available to prospective students.
For those interested in learning more about the British Council’s Venice Fellowships programme and its requirements, visit the British Council website to explore eligibility criteria and application procedures for future programme cycles.
Submit an enquiry to the University for the Creative Arts if you have specific questions about studying there. The admissions team can provide guidance on course selection, portfolio preparation, and the opportunities available to students.
The success of Ahmed Umer Farooqi and Camille Serisier in securing these prestigious fellowships demonstrates what UCA students can achieve when supported by excellent teaching, ambitious research opportunities, and a commitment to international engagement in the creative arts.
