Researching Artists' Networks in Yorkshire and Humber: determining value, impact and sustainability

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The intrinsic value of the arts, and therefore artist networks, is hard to capture. As early career artists emerge from either higher education, college or alternatives, they often face a precarious job market, and leave behind a clear structure of support, from peers, tutors, and mentors, as well as studios, facilities and focussed time. While defining the nature of artist networks is complex, the networks that an artist develops and sustains can often be pivotal in defining the route of their practice, and their decision to remain local. In considering the needs of all artists, not just those that attend University, local arts organisations, from the publicly funded, to the artist led, are crucially placed in providing ongoing, professional development for early career artists, and helping to sustain and support their evolving networks. This project, undertaken in collaboration with Yorkshire & Humber Visual Arts Network (YVAN) and The School of Performance and Cultural Industries (PCI), will build on YVAN's current research and partnerships to develop sustainable, collaborative ways for arts organisations to work with artists at the beginning of their careers. By working collaboratively with artists and organisations, this project will attempt to capture some of the complex, but inherent value that artist networks provide. Placing artists needs at the forefront, I will utilise this research to develop a tool box of accessible guidance and methods that can be implemented by a wide range of organisations.