Yorkshire & Humber Visual Arts Network
YVAN is an infrastructure body for the visual arts in Yorkshire and the Humber. We are founded on the creative vision of individual artists and arts organisations. We prioritise individual practitioners, artists networks, small-scale initiatives and the artist-led.
YVAN is one of nine regions that make up Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) England who are part of a national alliance of visual arts networks from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who Are YVAN?
YVAN is made up of visual arts workers, individual artists and makers, studios, collectives, higher and further education departments, researchers, visual arts organisations and artists networks.
Our Vision
Yorkshire and the Humber is a place where the visual arts thrive through the collective strength and collaboration across the sector, founded in the creative vision of individual artists.
Our Research
For YVAN, research excellence is about developing new cross-disciplinary bodies of insight, practice and knowledge. By developing a clear evidence base of the impact of the visual arts, the research increases the opportunities for the visibility of artists’ practice and retains and attracts talent to the region. The value of partnerships and associated activities lies in both the process and outcomes, which has a genuine, measurable and positive impact on the quality and experience of civic life, arts practice and innovation as part of broader societal value.
Our research forms part of a long-term commitment to supporting artists’ practice through a deep understanding of the following key research areas:
Q1. How do we most effectively gather and share knowledge that’s embedded in the cultural networks and communities that we work with - or want to work with - to increase support for artistic practice?
Q2. Can artists' networks define their own development needs and act on them, and how is this best supported?
Q3. Addressing the Wellbeing, Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (WIDE) of artist practice in the region is vital and we must ask - Whose Knowledge (Q1) is it and Who speaks for Whom?
Our Mission
To be a voice and advocate for the visual arts sector in Yorkshire & the Humber, delivering a programme that effects change in the profile, reputation and sustainability of the visual arts and artists in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Ensure the visual arts are accessible to meaningful participation and enjoyment by the diverse range of people who visit, live and work in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Amplify the important strategic contribution of the visual arts sector to place-making and quality of life in Yorkshire and the Humber.
YVAN is committed to ensuring that the visual arts in the region is contemporary, inclusive and diverse; that it opens up opportunities in fair and transparent ways; and challenges itself and partners to examine the unconscious bias and prejudice that permeate the arts and its institutions.
YVAN works towards being an anti-racist organisation for the visual arts. YVAN continues to demonstrate its commitment to CVAN’s Fair & Equitable strategy through its governance and programme structures.
What We Do
Support
artists, makers and professionals to identify issues and priorities for action focusing on: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; the Climate Crisis, areas of research and National Policy
Collaborate
with organisations in supporting the visual arts through professional development, advocacy, research and promotion
Champion & Advocate
for the role of the visual arts in leading on social and political change, and amplifying the impact from our region.
YVAN are funded by Arts Council England and are part of the national Contemporary Visual Arts Network.
