The Government Art Collection is working with CVAN, the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, and networks in Wales and Northern Ireland to identify the next generation of potential artistic stars. The X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020-21 when more than 90 pieces by 45 contemporary visual artists were acquired for the collection. These works are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and residences.

The pilot revealed the positive impact that an acquisition by the Government Art Collection can have on an artist’s career by helping to bring their art to new audiences and raising their profiles. Glasgow-based artist Alberta Whittle went on to represent Scotland at the 59th Biennale di Venezia in 2022 and currently has pieces on display in the National Galleries of Scotland following the pilot scheme’s acquisition of her work. The acquisition of work by Manish Harijan led to his being granted a global talent visa by the British Council, and Ghanian-born artist Harold Offeh saw his art join a national collection for the first time in his career.

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“Continuing the partnership with the Government Art Collection is a fantastic opportunity for CVAN to support artists in difficult financial times. We are hopeful that this opportunity will pave the way for ways of working that strengthen the development and capacity of the visual arts sector”. Paula Orrell, Director, CVAN England
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Art X-UK artists

The artists listed below all had work acquired by the Government Art Collection as a result of the X-UK pilot.


Bruce Asbestos (CVAN East Midlands), Simon Bayliss (CVAN South West), Rabiya Choudhry (Scottish Contemporary Art Network), Donna Coleman (Yorkshire and Humber Visual Arts Network), Jamie Crewe (Scottish Contemporary Art Network), Paul Crook (New Art West Midlands), Adéọlá Dewis (Visual Art Group Wales), Lisa Fielding-Smith (Yorkshire and Humber Visual Arts Network), Michael Forbes (CVAN East Midlands), Naomi Frears (CVAN South West), Atelier E.B (Scottish Contemporary Art Network), Kathryn Elkin (CVAN North East), Leo Fitzmaurice (CVAN North West), Joy Gerrard (Belfast Visual Arts Network), Rabab Ghazoul (Visual Art Group Wales), Graham Gingles (Belfast Visual Arts Network), Jake Grewal (Visual Art Group Wales), Gareth Griffiths (Visual Art Group Wales), Sunil Gupta (CVAN London), Manish Harijan (Yorkshire and Humber Visual Arts Network), Joey Holder (CVAN East Midlands), Mahtab Hussain (CVAN South East), Elsa James (East CVAN), Samson Kambalu (CVAN South East), Jasleen Kaur (CVAN London), Susan MacWilliam (Belfast Visual Arts Network), Lindsey Mendick (CVAN London), Jade Montserrat (Yorkshire and Humber Visual Arts Network), Harold Offeh (East CVAN), John Rainey (Belfast Visual Arts Network), Antonio Roberts (New Art West Midlands), Freddie Robins (East CVAN), Christopher Samuel (CVAN East Midlands), Lindsay Seers (CVAN South East), Libita Sibungu (CVAN South West), Nicola Singh (CVAN North East), Emily Speed (CVAN North West), Lucy Stein (CVAN South West), Matt Stokes (CVAN North East), Leslie Thompson (CVAN North West), Romily Alice Walden (CVAN London), Alberta Whittle (Scottish Contemporary Art Network), Aaron Williamson (CVAN South East), Everton Wright (EVEWRIGHT) (East CVAN), Nilupa Yasmin (New Art West Midlands)