Cumbria Arts & Culture Network Visual Artists Get Together: How did the first session go?
Twenty three Cumbrian visual artists got together in mid July 2023 on zoom for the first in a series of sectoral get togethers organised by Cumbria Arts and Culture Network. The meetings are being organised and promoted by CACN to make connections between people with similar interests. The session was hosted by Alison Critchlow and Eleanor Chaney, both of whom are artists themselves.
Alison says:
“It was a really great conversation. Good to bring artists together to share thoughts and experiences, compare notes and discuss ideas for the future. We focused on the issues and challenges of working as an artist in Cumbria, which opened up an animated and wide ranging discussion- topics included a lack of venues to exhibit high quality contemporary art; the need to diversify and build audiences; the ‘boom and bust’ that often occurs in the arts here, how to keep young art graduates in the county. Some exciting and inventive ideas emerged for ways forward, which would see artists coming together rather than competing against each other.
Interesting questions were raised about the dynamics of the art scene as it is just now, also about accessibility, the voluntary sector, the role of institutions and possible collective ways forward.
All agreed that it is time to raise the bar for visual art in Cumbria, learn to value art and artists, and represent Cumbria’s artists well on a national footing.
Some inventive ideas emerged about how to achieve this and improve the visual arts environment in Cumbria. A follow up form has been sent around so we can plan future get togethers in response to the feedback. A great first step into examining complex issues. It feels very positive to come together in this way.
There was no shortage of good ideas. They range from simple and easily achievable, to edgy and slightly wild! Rest assured we have some fine arty minds in the county.”
CACN aims to host more of these sector specific conversations over the coming months. They’re organised by CACN’s Development Producer Chris Bridgman – you can get him on chriskbridgman@gmail.com
