Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands

CVAN EM celebrates and supports visual arts and culture in the region, fostering an inclusive long-term future for the sector, emphasising equity and access for all arts workers.

Latest Activity

Updates, features, and insights from the visual arts community.

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Events & Exhibitions

Discover exhibitions, workshops, talks, performances events and creative activity across the region.

Phil Root: Flat Earth
Thursday- Saturday, 10am-3pm

Phil Root: Flat Earth

Flat Earth is a solo exhibition by Bristol-based artist Phil Root, presenting new ceramic works. Working with foraged and industrial materials—unprocessed clay, wood ash, and brick dust— Root explores the limits of traditional ceramics through experimental casting, glazing and firing, inviting clay to behave on its own terms. Whether casting asphalt textures from outside his studio or firing slabs of raw clay dug from a Bristol building site, he lets materials shape themselves—altered by heat, pressure, and time.

14 Mar 2026 - 13 Jun 2026
Modern Painters, New Decorators. Aumberry Gap, Loughborough, LE11 1DP
Eduardo Paolozzi: General Dynamic F.U.N
10am - 4pm, Thursday - Tuesday

Eduardo Paolozzi: General Dynamic F.U.N

A new Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition of screen-prints by Eduardo Paolozzi, open at the Usher Gallery as part of a national tour. Paolozzi's General Dynamic F.U.N is a series of fifty screenprints and photolithographs created between 1965 and 1970. Here Paolozzi employs the technologies of mass-reproduction and gorges on its idols – the household names of consumer advertising, high fashion and Hollywood. Image: Paolozzi Eduardo, Totems and Taboos of the Nine-to-Five Day © 2026 The Paolozzi Foundation, Licensed by DACS.

14 Mar 2026 - 07 Jun 2026
Usher Gallery, Lindum Rd, Lincoln LN2 1NN
Raisa Kabir: I only dance, I wish we could sing
Mon to Sat – 10am-5pm Sun – 10am-4pm Bank Holidays – 10am-4pm

Raisa Kabir: I only dance, I wish we could sing

Raisa Kabir is an interdisciplinary artist and weaver based in London. Kabir utilises woven text and textiles, sound, video, and performance to materialise multiple concepts concerning the cultural politics of cloth. Kabir’s practice foregrounds excluded narratives and traces the histories of textile technologies originating in East, Central, and South Asia, which have directly influenced European centres of technology and weaving knowledge.

28 Mar 2026 - 05 Jul 2026
Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW
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Jobs & Opportunities

Funding opportunties, residencies, creative roles, commissions, open calls, and professional or creative development.

Director Creative People and Place, North West Leicestershire
£40,000 to £45,000Urgent

Director Creative People and Place, North West Leicestershire

We are currently looking for a bold, people-focused Programme Director to lead Changing Places, who is enthusiastic and experienced in community-led creative programming. This role is funded to March 2029 thanks to Arts Council England. (with intention of permanent employment within Coalville CAN). We’re looking for: A track record of developing cultural initiatives and commissioning creative projects within a range of public spaces. Experience working in communities and building relationships, ideally with a knowledge of North West Leicestershire An effective project manager, able to be flexible and adjust plans. Experienced managing budgets and resources. Confident working with and influencing a wide range of people and partners and working together to shape strategies. Knowledge and experience of co-creation and empowering others through the process. Aligned with our values Positive and enjoys their work and celebrating others' success. A natural connector, curious and open Passionate about making creativity accessible to everyone

Deadline: 05 Jun 2026
£30,024 - £32,597 (pay award pending)

Exhibitions Officer

Working predominantly at Lincoln Museum and Usher Art Gallery but not excluding the other sites within the portfolio of the Heritage Service including Lincoln Castle, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, the Exhibitions Officer (known internally as the Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer) will deliver an audience focused, exciting public programme of exhibitions and events to assist in driving visitor volume and deepening engagement with our venues and collections.

Deadline: 21 Jun 2026
Open Call for Biodiversity & Climate Art
Free - £5

Open Call for Biodiversity & Climate Art

Insecta Collective CIC welcomes artists at all stages of career to submit climate & biodiversity themed artwork for inclusion in their upcoming physical and digital exhibition and eco extravaganza. Most mediums will be considered, with some size restrictions and limits on film & video, (see website for full details). Small prizes will be awarded to three winners in each category (youth and adult). Alongside the open call, artists can choose to donate a print of their work to raise money for wildlife charities and exhibit eco zines. Additionally, an opportunity to utilise the workshop space within the gallery to make nature themed artwork alongside Insecta Collective during the 3 week exhibition, Mon - Thursday, 9am - 4:30pm. This would be a public facing role, co-creating participatory artwork & interacting with visitors. Email us for further details if this is something you are interest in.

Deadline: 26 Jun 2026
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