Summary
This project explores the visual arts as socially engaged practice and a vehicle for participation. It focuses on developing a collaborative, equitable model that enriches urban culture to inspire future artists from all backgrounds. With the Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) and Local Government Association (LGA), the project will produce a policy brief, framework, and two toolkits that activate the practice and experience of the visual arts to address social outcomes.
Each output will drive inclusive participation in different spaces and at different scales: from non-profit studios to commercial galleries, national funding schemes to volunteer-led classes. Drawing on diverse experiences across the visual arts will spur a redesign of cultural policies at a local and national level. Councils, community groups, and government require a model that encompasses UK visual arts practice: from painting and ceramics to photography and architecture. This breadth encourages meaningful participation but calls for unprecedented resources to unlock its full potential.
Image credit: ArtCare, Salisbury District Hospital.