Wysing is the chair and coordinator of the East Contemporary Visual Arts Network (ECVAN); a group of 19 contemporary visual arts organisations and individuals based in the eastern region of England. The network delivers collaborative projects, exploring new ways of working together to support artists, the arts infrastructure and reach new audiences for art in new ways.

We are pleased to announce that we have received funding from ACE to deliver 'New Geographies' from 2017- 2020. This project has now been launched and you can follow the details on the dedicated website here.

Since 2009, ECVAN has achieved a successful programme of exhibitions, events, public talks, training workshops, staff development opportunities, knowledge sharing events, and the production of a print portfolio in 2011 supported by a network of patrons and region wide events. 

ECVAN is part of the national Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) which represents and supports a diverse and vibrant visual arts ecology, embracing a broad range of artistic and curatorial practice across the nine English regions.

Wysing Arts Centre takes the lead in organizing The Syllabus, a peer-led alternative learning programme for ten artists over a ten-month period delivered with our partners Eastside Projects, Birmingham; Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts), London; S1 Artspace, Sheffield; Spike Island, Bristol; and Studio Voltaire, London. It is generously funded by Arts Council England.

Originally launched in June 2015, The Syllabus aims to reach artists from a wide geographic spread within the UK and, mindful of the current economic climate and changes within higher education, offers an intensive and cost-effective learning programme. The Syllabus provides selected participants with a series of intensive seminars at each of the partner venues lasting from two to four days; to encourage enquiry into individual participants’ work, offer practical guidance on surviving as an artist, and offer ongoing access to curatorial and other staff at the partner organisations alongside external artistic advisors.

Each seminar is themed and is developed with the participating artists, partners and the input of artists who have a connection to each of the partners and who continue to contribute to its development and delivery throughout the year. In addition, each participant is offered one on one support to enable their individual practices to develop.

We are working with leading disability arts organisation DASH and partners Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) on a programme of residencies for curators who identify as disabled.

Visual artist Anna Berry was appointed by MAC in early 2019 and artist, curator and writer Aidan Moesby will start at MIMA in early 2020. Wysing’s Curator in-residence Hannah Turner Wallis was appointed through an open call during the autumn of 2019.

The partners are working together to enable routes into institutional curating roles acknowledging that the demographics of those in creative and leadership positions in the visual arts are currently narrow. This collaboration aims to support change.

The programme is supported by Arts Council England.

In 2010, Wysing was invited to join the Plus Tate network. Plus Tate aims to support the development of the visual arts across the UK, by fostering a climate where exchange and partnership can flourish.

Joining together to exchange ideas, knowledge, skills and resources, as well as programmes and collections, the Plus Tate partners enable audiences to engage with modern and contemporary art across major cities and rural communities.

Plus Tate now comprises 48 cultural institutions including Wysing and Tate galleries, and is a powerful group enabling new collaboration and change. For the full list of Plus Tate partners, please visit their website here.