MORE THAN 200 years after his death, academics and performers have launched an interactive online resource to make choral versions of the work of Robert Burns available to the public.

The Robert Burns Choral Settings website is the result of a collaborative project between the Centre for Robert Burns Studies and the Chapel Choir at Glasgow University.

They have recorded and compiled choral versions of 20 of Burns most famous works including Ae Fond Kiss and A Man's A Man from a range of composers from across Europe including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Robert Schumann.

The selection includes two world premiere performances of pieces of music created by Scottish composer Francis George Scott.

l burnschoral.glasgow.ac.uk

Dexter becomes council director

THE British Council, which has offices in Scotland and frequently works with Creative Scotland and other Scottish arts bodies, has appointed Emma Dexter as its new Director of Visual Arts.

Emma has run Timothy Taylor Gallery's exhibition programme since 2007 and was also a Senior Curator at Tate Modern from its opening in 2000 until 2007, curating exhibitions including Pierre Huyghe, Frida Kahlo, Luc Tuymans, and Bruce Nauman's Turbine Hall commission.

As Director of Exhibitions at the ICA during the 1990s she was a champion of future British Pavilion and Turner Prize short-listed artists including: Rachel Whiteread, Steve McQueen, Mark Wallinger, Gary Hume, Tacita Dean, Fiona Rae, Jake and Dinos Chapman and Mark Leckey.

In the British Council's Visual Arts calendar is Sarah Lucas show at next year's Venice Biennale, the newly launched World Series touring exhibition programme, and seasons connecting the UK with Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Nigeria, India and Indonesia.

l britishcouncil.org