Scotland + Venice

Scotland will return to the Venice Biennale in 2026

The Choir is waiting at the threshold and (pause) – deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory, 2022 photographer Cristiano Corte, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland + Venice

Following a pause in 2024 to review Scotland's involvement, the Scotland + Venice Partnership are pleased to announce our renewed participation in the Venice Biennale for 2026, and a commitment to future editions in 2028 and 2030. Read more

Open Call for Scotland + Venice 2026

Credit: Lori Anderson

Following a pause in 2024 to review Scotland's involvement, the Scotland + Venice Partnership are pleased to announce our renewed participation in the Venice Biennale for 2026, and our commitment to future editions in 2028 and 2030. Read more

Venice Biennale exhibition opens at V&A Dundee

A dramatic image of the coastline of Orkney

Image: A Fragile Correspondence – Orkney. Photo credit Simon Forsythe, Lateral North. Scotland’s exhibition from the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale, A Fragile Correspondence, opens at V&A Dundee on Friday 22 November for its first UK showcase. Read more

Scotland + Venice Survey Launched

Survey Share your experience of, and hopes for the Scotland + Venice project. Deadline 16 February 2024.

We’re inviting people involved in the visual arts and architecture to share their experience of, and hopes for the Scotland + Venice project. An initial survey is now open, with a deadline of 16 February. Read more

Culture Radar appointed to deliver Scotland + Venice review

Following an open tender process Culture Radar has been appointed to lead a review of the Scotland + Venice project. The review, which is being commissioned by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scotland + Venice partners, will determine the future viability of the project and the effectiveness of the current approach to its delivery. Read more

A Fragile Correspondence to return to Scotland after successful run at La Biennale di Venezia

Photograph of the exhibition with a blurry person walking through the space

A Fragile Correspondence – Work on display in Loch Ness section – photo by Daniele Sambo

A Fragile Correspondence will return to Scotland in November 2024 where it will be showcased at V&A Dundee after its May to November run this year in Venice. Commissioned by the Scotland + Venice partnership and curated by a creative team consisting of the Architecture Fringe, -ism magazine, and /other, A Fragile Correspondence has run from 20 May to 26 November 2023 at _docks_cantieri cucchini, as part of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Read more

Invitation to tender for a review of the Scotland + Venice project

Established in 2003, Scotland + Venice is a significant, flagship project that promotes the best of contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage at La Biennale di Venezia (La Biennale). Read more

Open Call: Successful Proposals Announced

The Scotland + Venice partnership has announced two selected proposals, responding to the open call for a creative promotional response to A Fragile Correspondence. The open call invited a range of creative responses to the themes of A Fragile Correspondence. Read more

A Fragile Correspondence exhibition opens at 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia

Alyesha Choudhury, member of the curatorial team for Scotland + Venice commission ‘A Fragile Correspondence’, with birch trees from the Ravenscraig section of the exhibition in Venice. The exhibition opens to the public in Venice on Saturday 20 May. Read more

A Fragile Correspondence: New Trailer

How can a closer relationship between land and language help architecture be more attuned to the environment in which it operates? Highlighting cultures and languages that have a close affinity with the landscapes of Scotland, A Fragile Correspondence explores alternative perspectives and new approaches to the challenges of the worldwide climate emergency. Read more

Open Call: A creative promotional response to the themes of A Fragile Correspondence

We are looking to commission a writer or creative of any medium to create a promotional response to the themes of A Fragile Correspondence, a collateral event for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia created by the Architecture Fringe, ism magazine and /other, and commissioned by the Scotland + Venice partnership. Read more

National Galleries of Scotland acquire two major installations by acclaimed artist Alberta Whittle, ahead of her solo exhibition opening this Saturday

A large tapestry composed of imagery of snakes, water, diamonds and hands, suspended on a green gate

Pictured: Entanglement is more than blood by Alberta Whittle. Credit: Neil Hanna Photography

The National Galleries of Scotland has announced the acquisition of two major works by the celebrated Barbadian-Scottish artist, Alberta Whittle. The artist’s extraordinary installation with tapestry, Entanglement is more than blood (2022), and thought-provoking film, Lagareh – The Last Born (2022), will form an integral part of Alberta Whittle: create dangerously. Read more

University of Aberdeen to screen new, internationally acclaimed film by artist Alberta Whittle

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022. Photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma.

Lagareh – The Last Born draws focus on anti-racist and pro-black advocacy, and Scotland’s historic connections to transatlantic slave trade. The free screening is part of a 6 venue Scottish tour & comes ahead of major solo show at National Galleries of Scotland. Read more

Unprecedented visitor numbers for Alberta Whittle’s Scotland + Venice exhibition

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022. Photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma.

Celebrated Scottish artist’s Venice Biennale exhibition attracts 35,000 international visitors, draws critical acclaim & prestigious artist award ahead of major National Galleries of Scotland show confirmed to open on 1 April 2023 Alberta Whittle’s show for the Venice Biennale draws to a close following critical acclaim, unprecedented visitor numbers, prestigious artist award and confirmation of a major solo show at National Galleries of Scotland which is confirmed to open on 1 April 2023. Read more

A creative team consisting of the Architecture Fringe, ism and /other has been invited to prepare a project for the International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2023

Representatives of Architecture Fringe, ism magazine and slash other stand in a high ceilinged, light filled room

Team image by Matthew Arthur Williams. The creative team – from left to right: Amy McEwan, Aoife Nolan, Carl Jonsson, Neil McGuire, Mia Pinder-Hussein, Kristina Enberg, Alissar Riachi, Alyesha Choudhury and Andy Summers. Representing each collective is: Neil McGuire and Andy Summers for the Architecture Fringe, Kristina Enberg, Amy McEwan, Aoife Nolan, Alissar Riachi for ism magazine, and Alyesha Choudhury, Carl C.Z. Jonsson and Mia Pinder-Hussein for /other (pronounced: slash other).

Commissioned by the Scotland + Venice Partnership The  Scotland + Venice partnership is delighted to announce it has commissioned a creative team consisting of the Architecture Fringe, ism and /other to develop new work. Read more

Can you help us spread the word about Scotland + Venice 2023?

An image of people sitting outside the Scotland + Venice venue in Venice, alongside a canal

The Scotland + Venice partnership is in the process of commissioning a creative team to be put forward as a collateral event for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2023. Read more

Internationally acclaimed film by Glasgow artist Alberta Whittle gets UK premiere at Glasgow Film Theatre ahead of Scotland wide tour

An image still from the film Lagareh of a Black dancer wearing a kilt and a white shirt. The dancer holds two long knives in her hands and stands on green grass with a blue sky behind her and a castle-like building to her left.

Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022, Photographer Matthew Arthur Williams, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist & Scotland+Venice

Alberta Whittle’s Lagareh–The Last Born - which comes back to Scotland fresh from the 2022 Venice Biennale - draws focus on anti-racist and pro-Black advocacy, and Scotland’s historic connections to Transatlantic slave trade Premiere kicks off a six venue Scottish screening tour & ahead of major solo show at National Galleries of Scotland Glasgow Film Theatre will host the UK premiere of internationally acclaimed Barbadian-Scottish artist Alberta Whittle’s new film, Lagareh – The Last Born, on Tuesday 20 September 2022 (18:00). Read more

UK Premiere and Scottish cinema tour for Alberta Whittle’s new film Lagareh – The Last Born

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022. Photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma.

Tuesday 20 Sept 2022 – Wednesday 1 March 2023 Scotland + Venice and LUX Scotland, with support from Art Fund, are delighted to announce the UK Premiere and Scottish cinema tour of Alberta Whittle’s new film, Lagareh – The Last Born, at venues across Scotland between September 2022 and March 2023. Read more

Open call for proposals: 18th international architecture exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

The Scotland + Venice partners are inviting proposals for a major exhibition which will be put forward to represent Scotland as a collateral event at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice - La Biennale - from 20 May to 26 November 2023. Read more

Press Release: Scotland + Venice presents Alberta Whittle and ‘deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory’

Image: deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory, 2022 Installation Shot Photographer Cristiano Corte, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland + Venice & Forma London

The Scotland + Venice partnership is delighted to present Alberta Whittle and her new body of work deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory at Biennale Arte 2022. At a time in history when it is not enough for the world to merely acknowledge global injustice, this remarkable exhibition invites us to unravel contested and difficult histories and creates an open space for conversation, hope, healing, and reconciliation. Read more

The Countdown to Venice Continues

Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022, Photographer Matthew Arthur Williams, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist & Scotland+Venice

With just over a week until deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory opens in Venice we are thrilled to continue the journey with our latest newsletter detailing what’s new and upcoming. As installation wrapped up in Venice be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram Stories for a behind the scenes look at all of the installation action. Read more

Three questions with Forma

Image is a still from the film RESET by Alberta Whittle. It is of a brown arm reaching out behind a tree trunk with a field of wheat in the background.

Alberta Whittle RESET, 2020 Co-commissioned & co-produced by Frieze and Forma © Alberta Whittle Photograph by Matthew A Williams

With Alberta Whitte's deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory opening in Venice next week, we're taking a moment to pause to embrace the community that helps brings the spirit of collaboration to life. This week's 'Three questions with...' interview sees us chat with Chris Rawcliffe, Artistic Director at Forma. Read more

Three questions with Art Night

Helen Nisbet, Artistic Director of our Scotland + Venice Creative Partner Art Night, with Alberta Whittle after Alberta’s Art Night 2021 performance at @twotempleplace

Collaboration is one of the many joys that Alberta Whittle encompasses in her practice. Whether it be fellow collaborators in her artwork or organisations committed to decolonising the arts and widening participation across Scotland, the UK, and the world; for her, it is a powerful tool for creation. Read more

The Countdown to Venice Begins

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022. Photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma.

Following the exciting announcement of Alberta Whittle’s deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory Collateral Event for the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the road to Venice has officially begun as April gets under way. Read more

Press Release: 2022 Scotland + Venice Professional Development Programme Announced

Image: Matthew Arthur Williams

Following the announcement of Alberta Whittle's Biennale Arte 2022 Collateral Event with Scotland +Venice - set to open to the public on April 23rd - students and early career practitioners from nine universities, colleges and arts organisations across Scotland have embarked on a career-defining journey designed to provide them with an invaluable learning experience in the visual arts. Read more

Press Release: Alberta Whittle to present deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022, Photographer Matthew Arthur Williams, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma

The Scotland + Venice partners are delighted to confirm a major exhibition of new work by Alberta Whittle has been confirmed by La Biennale di Venezia as a Collateral Event at the 59th International Art Exhibition, taking place from 23rd April - 27th November 2022. Read more

Job Opportunity: Scottish Screening Tour Programme Producer

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagerah – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022, Photographer Matthew Arthur Williams, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist & Scotland+Venice. Co-commissioned and produced by Forma Arts, London.

Scotland + Venice and LUX Scotland are looking for a creative, committed individual who is passionate about the work of LUX Scotland, Scotland + Venice and Forma, and our shared commitment to support, develop and promote artists’ moving image across Scotland. Read more

What if…?/Scotland event series – watch again

This event series was a collaboration between the Scotland + Venice partnership and V&A Dundee and curated in response to the What if..?/Scotland project. Produced by award winning Edinburgh based architecture and design practice 7N Architects, in partnership with Architecture & Design Scotland, What if…? Read more

Professional Development Opportunity Supported by SCAN

Scotland + Venice and Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) are looking for an Exhibition Assistant to join the team taking part in the Scotland + Venice Professional Development Programme (PDP), for the Venice Biennale 2022. This opportunity will take place over 4 weeks during the Biennale, between April 2022 and November 2022 and is supported by Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN). Read more

What if…?/ Scotland: 10,000 Scottish gallery-goers ‘wishes’ for a better Scotland revealed

A young woman with dark hair rests on a black wishing well with a golden circle around her head. Her eyes are closed and she holds a card with the words I wish on her chest.

Amanie Ahmed from Dundee, who contributed to the What if…?/Scotland exhibition makes a wish at the Wishing Well. Image by Neil Hanna Photography

The award-winning exhibition What if…?/Scotland comes to an end at the V&A Dundee on Sunday 21st November, having collected over 10,000 wishes from the people of Scotland and beyond. Commissioned by the Scotland + Venice Partnership, and created by Edinburgh-based 7N Architects, What if…?/Scotland was originally designed as Scotland’s contribution to the 17th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, but due to the pandemic it was redesigned to go on to successfully show at V&A Dundee. Read more