Our Ambition
Visual Arts South West is a sector support organisation. Our Mission is to advocate, challenge and enable the visual arts to thrive in South West England.
Our core aims are to:
- Raise the visibility of the South West's visual arts sector, both in the region and nationally
- Advocate for diverse perspectives our area
- Focus on addressing the significant issues facing the sector in the region
- Develop a more resilient visual arts sector
We're based at Spike Island as part of their National Portfolio Organisation funded by the Arts Council England. We are an independent organisation part of the national Contemporary Visual Arts Network and in a position to apply for funding to develop our own work specific to the South West.
Our In-house Team
Paula Orrell
Whilst leading the network, Paula is an independent curator and consultant and known for her curatorial approach in engaging new audiences with the visual arts and ability in supporting the development of emerging artists at the same time as working with established international artists. Art ecology and community are central to her work, as well as a socially engaged approach.
Nella Aarne
Alongside managing administrative processes for Visual Arts South West, Nella is a curator co-directing Obsidian Coast in Bradford-on-Avon and convening the Of Animacy Reading Group.
Rosa Martyn
As well as Visual Arts South West, Rosa works at Spike Island, Bristol in communications. As well as contemporary arts, Rosa is interested in traditional handicraft practices, with a focus on textile work.
Steering Group
Emily Bull
Producer
Lara Goodband
Contemporary Art Curator & Programmer
Robert Leckie
Director
Zoe Li
Independent Curator
Woodrow Kernohan
Director
Jane Sutherland
Director
Vickie Fear
Curator
Your VASW
