Our Ambition
Visual Arts South West is a sector support organisation. Our mission is to advocate for people in the visual arts to enable the sector to thrive in South West England.
Our core aims are:
- Increased recognition of the value of the visual arts locally, regionally and nationally.
- We seek to uplift organisations and artists in the region with our What's On, Directory and Opportunities sections. All you have to do is make a profile and you can submit listings.
- Our newsletter reaches thousands in the region and beyond with our latest news and highlighting regional events- sign up now.
- As part of the Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) we campaign for national recognition of visual arts and those working within it.
- We seek to uplift organisations and artists in the region with our What's On, Directory and Opportunities sections. All you have to do is make a profile and you can submit listings.
- Development of a sustainable, supportive and inter-connected sector.
- By delivering sector support projects like West Of England Visual Arts Alliance we see to foster resilience in our region.
- We are bringing together Associate Programmes across the region to enable their resilience so they can help and support artists and independent art workers. We'll be telling you all about this on our news page soon.
- We understand that no two areas are alike - we run events such as VASW forums to help us understand specific local issues and allow those working in the visual arts to connect to others in their area. Look out for our forthcoming symposium at the British Art Show in Plymouth.
- To tackle structural and systemic issues in the sector.
- We worked with artists from marginalised backgrounds to create the Together We Will recommendations for best practice. You or your organisation can pledge to uphold these.
- We approach these issues knowing we will never finish learning to be better. Keep an eye out in the future for more work developing Inclusive Cultures.
Our vision is one of justice, inclusion, success and celebration for all across the visual arts. Join us as we make it real.
We're based at Spike Island as part of their National Portfolio Organisation funded by the Arts Council England. We are an independent organisation connected to 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 delivering the regional programme of Visual Arts South West, Nella is a curator co-directing Obsidian Coast in Bradford-on-Avon and convening the Of Animacy Reading Group.
Graham MacLeod Johnson
Graham produces VASW's online programme, with a producing background in theatre, illustration and outdoor arts. Their external practice focuses on Radical Wellbeing in the sector, challenging existing standards with workshops and consultation. Currently they co-produce Kid Carpet.
Katie Whitford
As well as working as an Administrator for Visual Arts South West, Katie is an artist working with printmaking, ceramics and drawing. She is currently studying for a Masters in Multidisciplinary Printmaking at University of West England.
Steering Group
Helen Cammock
Woodrow Kernohan
Director
Emily Bull
Producer
Nazneen Ahmed
Photo: Laura Cuch
Abbi Bayliss
Robert Leckie
Director
Zoe Li
Independent Curator
Yasmin Joan Qureshi
Photo: @shamphat
Hannah Rose
Artist (LOW PROFILE) & Curator (The Gallery at Plymouth College of Art)
Jane Sutherland
Director
Your VASW
