Visual Arts South West was founded in 2012 to advocate for the South West region, supporting independent artists, art workers and organisations to enable the visual arts ecology to thrive. Their work spans the whole of the South West, from Cornwall to the Cotwolds and the Isle of Wight.
Visual Arts South West supports, celebrates and promotes the incredible organisations, artists and art workers in the South West through a user-led website Directory, Opportunities listings and What’s on. A monthly newsletter and social media platforms reach thousands; sharing news and opportunities, and profiling the work of our community.
The South West is the most coastal and rural region in England. Artists from the area often face economic precarity, further exacerbated by high living costs and fewer income-generating opportunities. Visual Arts South West works resourcefully and collaboratively to respond to the identified needs of the community and deliver programme to support and progress creative development. Current priorities were established through a biannual Artist and Art Worker survey, they focus on building community, resource and opportunity through:
- Support for artists and art workers, particularly those facing barriers due to injustice or circumstance
- Development opportunities, information and support to help creative practitioners progress their careers
- Advocacy for practitioners and the South West visual arts sector
- Networks and connection between artists, art workers and organisations in the region
Visual Arts South West is an independent organisation constituted as a CIC with support from a steering group, hosted by Spike Island as part of their Arts Council NPO. The team work from Bristol and Devon.
Image credit: THIS LAND, b-side festival 2023, Paul Box