Current projects

Visual Arts Development Consultants

Visual Arts Development Scoping

About the Project

Audiences South West were commissioned in 2009 by Arts Council England, South West, to scope the opportunities for visual arts development across the region in the context of Turning Point, the ten-year strategy for the visual arts which is a key driver in developing the sector in England. The report is now available to download. There are two documents, the executive summary (9 pages) and the full report. Independent research was carried out in each of the three sub-regions (West of England, Devon and Cornwall and South) and the final report contains reports for each of these areas as well as an overview of the region.

If you have any further questions about the research or the report, or would like to see any of the appendices, please contact miranda@audiencessw.org.

Download The Visual Arts Development Scoping Report

Executive Summary (PDF, 69kb)

Full Report (PDF, 517kb)

Reflection Paper (PDF, 378kb)

About the Visual Arts Development Scoping Team

Caroline Barnes

Caroline specialises in audience development evaluation across the arts sector with particular interests in Youth Arts and the Museums and Galleries Sector. Trained as a ceramicist she then went onto study Heritage and how visitors interpret the contemporary and historic environment.

Recent freelance contracts include:
Thrive Somerset (evaluation consultant), Dorset Visual Arts Business Development plan, Dorset Youth Arts Strategy (delivering multi agency participatory arts projects working with young people at risk), NESTA South West Ignite Programme Coordinator, Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery (researching how new display technique reflect a more diverse local audience), Evaluation of the Hayward Gallery's youth friendly activities (including, film making, fashion, fanzine and photography projects linked to temporary exhibitions), Evaluation of Alive and Kicking Dance Somerset, Engage Envision Critical Friend Scheme (supporting gallery staff developing youth friendly projects), Project Toolkit Developer for Nottingham Museums and Galleries.

Before becoming freelance Caroline worked as Development Manager, New Perspectives Theatre Company, Actiontrack Performance Company and was the Audience Advocate for Nottingham City Museums and Galleries.

Christina Dixon

Christina is a marketing specialist. She has a University degree in the subject and holds CIM membership (Chartered Institute of Marketing). For many years Christina was the Director of an arts marketing agency, running a successful small business in the cultural sector, gaining experience of business planning, income generation and organisational development. Prior to this Christina gained valuable consumer marketing experience in the food industry.

Since launching CDC Christina has worked for a wide range of clients delivering marketing and audience services. Importantly, Christina has a passion for audience development and the value of arts and culture within our lives.

Caroline Griffin

Caroline Griffin is a specialist in audience development and organisational change in the cultural and creative sector. In over 12 years experience, working in arts organisations and the audience development agency Audiences Central, Caroline has developed expertise in arts marketing, developing diverse audiences, using new technologies and the relationship between artistic risk and audiences.

Caroline is an established writer and presenter. Recent publications include Reaching out to new audiences a briefing note on audience development for Audiences Northern Ireland and Voluntary Arts Network and This Way Up: A Flatpack Guide to Marketing the Arts. Other publications include a chapter in the Arts Council England publication, Navigating Difference. She is also an experienced speaker and trainer.

Ann Jones

Ann became founded ArtProjects and Solutions in 2000, incorporating it in 2003. She has over 20 years experience of the visual arts sector and an extensive network of national and international contacts. Working with key associates ArtProjects and Solutions has established a growing reputation as a key arts development agency in the UK. All Associates are highly experienced in their specialist areas and possess excellent project management and communication skills.

Ann's specific area of expertise lies in the Visual and Applied Arts and her perspective on the sector is independent and both national and international. Through her work with curators, arts managers and artists across the UK and overseas she as developed a reputation for nurturing networks and collaborative working practice. She has designed, researched and delivered professional development programmes for Arts Council England offices across the UK and joint ACE/British Council management training programmes. She has also designed and delivered international exchange programmes aimed at developing the creative practice of artists. As well leading on professional development work Ann works with clients to improve clarity of purpose, management and the financial sustainability of cultural organisations. Ann has trained as an Action Learning Facilitator (Action Learning Associates) and in Co-Active Coaching (The Coaching Institute) and works with groups and individuals.

Prior to becoming freelance Ann worked at a number of internationally respected London based galleries, most recently the Barbican Centre where she was Head of Visual Arts until 1999. She is a Fellow of the RSA and works voluntarily on a number of projects.

Phil Smith

Phil Smith originally trained in engineering followed by a degree in fine art and a post-graduate teaching qualification. He subsequently worked in museum education and several years as a photographer in the advertising industry. Returning to work in the public sector in the early 90s to he managed a photography gallery and public access darkrooms until he joined the Arts Council in 1996. Phil was Head of Visual Arts in the South East regional office in Brighton until April 2006 when he left to pursue freelance project management and research work in a variety of areas such as music education and art in the public realm. He currently divides his time between freelance work and managing a number of projects related to education and participation in urban design, public space, art and architecture at the Solent Centre for Architecture and Design.

Visual Arts West

Find out more about the Visual Arts West team here