Welcome to Rivers of the World

In 18 countries thirteen- and fourteen-year-old students from 135 schools worked with artists to create these magnificent artworks inspired by the study of their, or their partner city’s river.

View the artworks

Flagship Art and Education Project

Rivers of the World is the flagship art and education project of The Mayor’s Thames Festival. Delivered in partnership with the British Council’s connecting classrooms and with support  from HSBC Global Education Trust, the project links over 2,000 schools and young people around the world annually.

Participating schools

Education Resources

River resource packs have been created for each of the featured rivers. They aim to educate and inspire pupils about their own river and that of their partner city.

Find river resources

Exhibitions Around The World

The artworks are enjoyed by millions of people as they travel to riverside locations in each of the participating cities and along the banks of the River Thames during the annual Mayor’s Thames Festival in September.

Exhibitions around the world

International Artists

Rivers of the world workshops are delivered by a dedicated team if international artists and art educators.

Meet the artists

News

More news from around the world

2012 Rivers of the World Catalogue
View or download catalogue with river-inspired artwork created collaboratively by students and artists from across the globe in 2012.
2012 Open-Air Exhibition
Artworks created by pupils this year and a seclection of artworks from around the world are on display at St Katharine Docks, next to Tower Bridge as part of The Mayor's Thames Festival 2012.

A snapshot of Rivers of the World 2012

ROTW 2012 video

What pupils say

The Rivers of the World workshop was a very educational and enriching experience. We had the opportunity to work with tarracotta pottery and at the same time convey the message of this year's theme 'polluted river'. An effective method to raise awareness about the condition of India's rivers.

Abhiswek Biswas (pupil), Dolna Day School (India)