Framing the Future: The political case for strengthening the visual arts ecosystem.
Garth Gratrix, Flamboyant Flamingos, 2024, Grundy Art Gallery. Photo by Benjamin Nuttall
The UK’s visual arts sector is a global leader and a vital part of our national identity, creative economy, and public life. From Turner Prize-winning artists to grassroots galleries and studios in towns, rural areas and cities across the country, the visual arts ecosystem fuels economic growth, improves wellbeing, and fosters education and skills.This ecosystem generates over £4.1 billion in exports annually, is the world’s second-largest commercial art sector, supports more than 50,000 working artists, and attracts millions of visitors to the UK’s 12 world-renowned museums and galleries, which are ranked in the global top 100.
Yet despite this value, the sector faces growing pressures—from rising costs and declining education access to the erosion of studio infrastructure and regional opportunity.
A coalition of sector supporting organisations and leaders commissioned Framing the Future: The Political Case for Strengthening the Visual Arts Ecosystem. The report makes the case for investment in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review in June, presenting four key recommendations shaped by broad engagement across artists, public galleries, the commercial sector, and studios. It offers a renewed vision for investing in the visual arts ecosystem.
Authored by creative industries expert Eliza Easton, Director of think tank Erskine Analysis.
Commissioned by CVAN Contemporary Visual Arts Network and John Hansard Gallery, part of the University of Southampton, in partnership with DACS Design and Artists Copyright Society, a-n The Artists Information Company, Plus Tate and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Visual Arts and Artists.
It sets out a bold, practical roadmap to ensure that the visual arts are not only protected—but empowered to deliver on three of the Labour Government’s central missions:
- Inclusive Economic Growth – from regenerating towns like Eastbourne and Wakefield to supporting good jobs in studios, galleries, and supply chains
- Better Health and Wellbeing – through community arts, creative care models, and therapeutic environments
- Expanded Education and Skills – equipping the next generation with creativity, critical thinking, and access to careers in the UK’s £124.6bn creative industries
Four Key Recommendations for the Spending Review
To unlock this potential, the report sets out four targeted, high-impact policy interventions:
1. A UK Cultural Investment Partnership Fund
A permanent fund, modelled on Canada’s, to:
• Provide emergency support for at-risk non-profits
• Back business model innovation and partnerships development
• Offer matched capital and endowment funding to support long-term sustainability and decarbonisation
2. A £5 Million Grassroots Visual Arts Fund
Grants for small galleries, studios and artist-led spaces to support:
• Studio and venue costs
• Local exhibitions and outreach
• Early-career artist development
Modelled on the successful Grassroots Music Fund, this will help emerging talent flourish across the UK.
3. Expand Access to Creative Education
An £8.4 million per year investment to:
• Expand the National Saturday Club network from 122 to 1,000 clubs
• Reach 54,000+ young people, especially in underserved areas
• Build confidence, creativity, and pathways to future careers
4. Restore Specialist Funding in Higher Education
Reverse the 2021 cuts to ensure:
• Protection for world-class creative courses
• Support for industry-standard facilities
• A sustainable pipeline of skilled graduates for the UK’s creative economy.
Download the full report here: