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Studio Nicola Jeffs
Nicola Jeffs and Siobhan Scott
About Scotland + Venice
Scotland + Venice is a major international project designed to promote the best of contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage. Founded in 2003, the project supports the development of new work, fosters international connections and exchange, and positions Scotland as a vibrant place for creative and cultural production.
The Scotland + Venice presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia 2026 is led and funded by Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, and the National Galleries of Scotland, with Creative Scotland awarding funds from The National Lottery.
Scotland + Venice is a partnership between Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, Architecture and Design Scotland, V&A Dundee and the Scottish Government.
The aim of the 2024 Scotland + Venice Review was to deliver research and conclusions that enable the Scotland + Venice Partnership to determine the future viability of the project, the effectiveness of its approach, and consider alternative options for the future.
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Mount Stuart is an extraordinary Neo-Gothic mansion on the Isle of Bute. Since 2001, this unorthodox building has provided both the inspiration and location for an acclaimed Contemporary Visual Arts Programme. The Programme enables the Trust to promote and facilitate interest in the contemporary visual arts and bring exhibitions of international standard to Bute and Argyll. Each exhibition is complemented by a programme of events, publications and educational activities. Exhibiting artists have included Martin Boyce, Ilana Halperin, Sekai Machache, Monster Chetwynd, Martin Boyce, Abbas Akhavan and Christine Borland. Mount Stuart’s Contemporary Visual Arts Programme is supported by Creative Scotland.
Morven Gregor is the Curator of Contemporary and Learning for Mount Stuart Trust, on the Isle of Bute, where she has lived since 2016. She has worked on exhibitions by Christine Borland, Martin Boyce, Ilana Halperin, Alberta Whittle, Steven Claydon and Abbas Akhavan. As well as performances and exhibitions by Monster Chetwynd, Sekai Machache, Rhona Warwick Paterson & Eve Mutso and Linder. Since its inception in 2018, she has overseen Mount Stuart’s Emerging Artist Residency in Socially Engaged Practice. In 2023, she completed her PhD at Glasgow School of Art, examining social collecting practices. Her published work includes papers, essays and photography and co-editing Mount Stuart Trust publications for Martin Boyce, Abbas Akhavan, Christine Borland and Arrange Whatever Pieces Come Your Way. Last year, she was one of the cohort of Scottish curators receiving a travel grant from British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland to make a research trip to the 2024 Venice Biennale.
BUZZCUT is a Glasgow-based organisation dedicated to creating exciting, supportive environments for artists and audiences to experiment with live performance. We open up new spaces for performance, bring new audiences to Live Art, and generate opportunities for artists to make and share work. Founded in 2012 as a free, DIY five-day festival with over 60 artists performing in unconventional spaces across the city, BUZZCUT has grown into an internationally recognised platform for radical performance. Our work is rooted in grassroots community support and a belief in building welcoming, inclusive spaces for creative risk-taking and collective exchange. Their year-round programme includes an annual Live Art festival, regular artist development opportunities, and a monthly performance night, Double Thrills. Across all activity, they prioritise generosity, curiosity, and care through the sharing of food, ideas, homes, and experiences as they foster bold, boundary-pushing art.
Dunoon Burgh Hall is an inspiring story of a small Scottish community coming together to preserve its rich cultural heritage. The building was rescued by the community, who worked with the John McAslan Family Trust to purchase it for a token £1. Following a major refurbishment in 2017, this grade b listed building is now a fully accessible venue for exhibitions, performances, gatherings, community meetings and events, providing the community with an accessible space in which to gather and celebrate. Today Dunoon Burgh Hall is an inclusive organisation which works hard to improve mental well being by providing access to the arts through a year-long programme of free exhibitions, theatre and events.
Forma is a leading contemporary arts organisation and registered charity, recognised as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Driven by the ambition of our artists, since 2001 Forma has been at the forefront of commissioning groundbreaking, socially conscious art, providing tailored support in the development of collaborative projects that are career- defining and lead to major presentations with our partners worldwide. Artists Forma have worked with include Alberta Whittle, Himali Singh Soin, Lawrence Lek, Sin Wai Kin, R.I.P. Germain, Oliver Frank Chanarin, Êvar Hussayni, Sung Tieu, Benedict Drew, Athen Kardashian & Nina Mhach Durban, and Jala Wahid. Since January 2025, Forma has also been programming a new exhibition space at 15 Bermondsey Square, which provides our artists-in-residence the opportunity to showcase work in the public realm, having researched and developed their practice within the community at FormaHQ.
About the Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is one of the most significant international platforms within the global art world, celebrating visual art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre. Founded in 1895, and despite the significant growth of similar events around the world, the Art Biennale is still promoted as the most influential and prestigious contemporary art event, attracting an audience of over 700,000 in 2024. Future editions of the Art Biennale will take place in 2026, 2028 and 2030.
The Venice Biennale events take place in 29 country pavilions housed in the Giardini and more pavilions at Arsenale sites and across the city. ‘Collateral’ events take place in venues and spaces across Venice and include presentations from countries not included in the Biennale’s official country pavilions.
