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CVAN : a national network for visual arts professionals and artists in England
Consisting of 11 regional networks in the nine English regions, CVAN can provide local
support and networking for recent graduates.
The Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) consists of 11 regional networks in the nine
English regions. CVAN works to strengthen and develop the contemporary visual arts sector
in England through collegiate working defined locally and nationally, using the network as a
platform to do so. The network is sector led and mutually supportive, embracing a broad range
of artistic and curatorial practice.
The regional networks support recent graduates as they leave university and enter the sector.
There is real aspiration to play a crucial role in developing artists’ practice, working closely
with Higher Education and the visual art sector to ensure that we are supporting graduate
professional development and nurturing new talent, the latter extending far beyond initial
graduation.
CVAN is keen that graduates are retained in our regions. It is mindful that a healthy and
vibrant visual arts sector can only be maintained if graduates have access to professional
development, training and support from an established network of operators. The 11 regional
networks embrace artists’ practice. In relation to graduates, they develop their own tailored
programmes that range from major initiatives to more bespoke activity.
Large-scale initiatives
Over the last 12 months there have been two such large-scale initiatives in the South East
and West Midlands. Platform 2012 was a South East pilot project that addressed the needs
of both the Higher Education and contemporary visual arts sectors in supporting graduate
professional development and nurturing new talent.
Artist Joella Wheatley won the 2012 Platform Award. She received a bursary of £2,500
towards studio accommodation across the year and in-kind support towards residencies
and mentoring, through access to the directors and curatorial teams of the partnering
organisations. Further details of this project can be found at
.
New Art West Midlands was a large partnership programme profiling the rich talent coming
out of Higher Education in the West Midlands, supported by the universities and 3 high level
galleries and organisations in the region. You can find more details on artist development
programmes in the West Midlands 2013-14 at www.tpwestmidlands.org.uk/artist-development
or sign up to their e-bulletin
.
Regional and bespoke
Other regions have also been developing programmes of work, bespoke to their regional
needs and with a direct impact on individuals developing their practice. In Yorkshire, a Cultural
Entrepreneurs programme is currently running, supporting individuals and small organisations
to consider how they could develop the market for their work.
In the South West and North East Critical writing bursaries are enabling professional
development opportunities for artists who wish to develop their writing skills. In the East,
artist development programmes come thick and fast out of the area’s regional network led by
Wysing Arts Centre.
Castlefield Gallery in Manchester is leading research in artists’ needs in the Greater
Manchester areas on behalf of the North West network, while in Liverpool, Arena Studios can
help support artists and their development alongside the
site – a great
place for artist opportunities and arts jobs. In the East Midlands there is a membership website,
, for information and opportunities.
To register to receive updates and find out what is happening in your region go to the national
website at www.cvan.org.uk and follow CVAN on Twitter
Herdi Ali,
Boy,
2012. © the artist
© nathan.eaton-baudains@iln.co.uk