CVAN London X Creative United announce Own Art: Fostering new ways to sustain artists’ livelihoods in the city

CVAN London X Creative United announce an exciting collaboration.

Own Art: Fostering new ways to sustain artists’ livelihoods in the city

Tuesday 12 May | 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Lancaster Rooms, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

We are excited to announce a collaboration between CVAN London¹ and Creative United² that brings visual arts/crafts organisations together to explore meaningful and practical ways to strengthen support for artists across London.

We warmly invite you to join a special event hosted by Creative United, supported as part of the Somerset House Residents Community Programme, to imagine new possibilities for artists’ livelihoods.

This afternoon gathering will provide the latest insights into artists' livelihoods in the city, an introduction to the Own Art programme led by Founder and CEO of Creative United, Mary-Alice Stack, and insights on CVAN London from its Director Jo Townshend. Most importantly, there will be networking, and discussion groups as follows:

Discussion Groups:

1.Moving from artist practitioner to artist enterprise 

Facilitator: Alice Mayor, Creative Founder & Consultant

As artists become more autonomous, driving their own exposure and engagement online, what impact does this have on the role of the gallery? This discussion will explore how in a rapidly evolving economic and digital world, arts organisations can adapt to artists driving their own enterprises.

2. Navigating the relationship between gallery and artist

Facilitator: Sophie Hill, Bow Arts

How can gallery and studio spaces work with artists in a way that works for everyone? Bow Arts operates as gallery, studio, and living space. Is this the model of the future? What are the opportunities and challenges of working with artists and what can we learn from different models?

3.Sales and sustainability 

Facilitator: Will Jarvis, Gertrude

In a shifting arts market, is the collector base shrinking? If so, where to from here? Will Jarvis, Founder and CEO of arts platform, Gertrude, leads a discussion on what a sustainable future for arts sales could look like.

1. London Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN London) is a free-to-access research-led, sector support and advocacy network for artists, arts professionals, art galleries, studios and art schools. We are often situated in community settings, and sometimes in residence with members across the city. All London boroughs are represented in our membership. CVAN London is committed to supporting artists’ livelihoods as a core priority. Read more here

2. Creative United is an entrepreneurial community interest company committed to supporting creative livelihoods. We work with partners across the public and private sectors to design and deliver programmes that enable economic growth and social impact. Read more here