CVAN East Midlands (CVAN EM) is the Contemporary Visual Arts Network for the East Midlands, representing Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. Established in 2008, CVAN EM champions contemporary visual arts across the region by supporting artists, arts workers and organisations to build a more equitable, connected and sustainable sector. Through partnerships and sector development, it delivers bursaries, mentoring, commissioning, networking and professional development opportunities, while advocating for greater equity, access and investment in the visual arts.
The network is supported by a Steering Group of artists, arts workers and representatives from organisations across the East Midlands. The Steering Group provides strategic guidance, advocates for the region’s visual arts sector, and helps ensure the network’s work responds to the needs of its diverse creative communities.
Recent highlights include Ode to the Midlands, an ambitious 18-month cross-regional programme led by CVAN EM and CVAN WM, supporting ambitious new digital commissions and building stronger connections across the regions; and CVAN EM’s Art Technician Training Programme, delivered in partnership with ArtTechSpace, the Art Fund supported programme strengthened technical skills development in the East Midlands.
Image credit: In Another Place, Melanie Jackson. In partnership with Primary. Nottingham, 2018