About

CVAN EM is the Contemporary Visual Arts Network for the East Midlands. Our mission is to strengthen and develop the contemporary visual arts sector in the region, working to safeguard the future of artists and our sector as a whole. We are a catalyst for new ways of supporting arts practice, regional connectivity and audience engagement. We contribute to a flourishing visual arts habitat, from making to presenting, where artists, organisations and audiences prosper.

Operational since 2008, CVAN EM is part of the national Contemporary Visual Arts Network, established to support Arts Council England’s 2006 visual arts strategy. See our mission, aims and remit. Find out about our Projects.

Our staff team is supported by a Steering Group, made up of representatives from key regional organisations as well as independent artists, oversees delivery of and champions our activities.

Between 2015 and 2018 we delivered a programme of activity that:

• engaged artists and organisations in tackling common issues resulting in new ways of working and more informed decision making;
• supported collaborative working across the region leading to new opportunities, new experiences and new networks;
• celebrated and promote contemporary arts in the region, from making to presenting.

Read the Summary of Findings and our Case Studies.

Following this programme, throughout 2019, we worked with the University of Leicester to carry out research into the region’s visual arts ecology and economy. It Takes A Region To Raise An Artist provided us with evidence of how the region supports its artists to pursue their careers and what barriers prevent them from doing so. In 2020 we explored the findings and recommendations with groups across the region and have used them to inform our work and future activity.