Interior view of an artist studio

Artquest

Understanding visual artists

Challenges

Learn how Artquest is addressing our financial challenges and changing our programme

Artist opportunities

Find opportunities and open calls for exhibitions, funding and more, and learn how to make better applications

Applied: Artist Workforce Data

Learn more about our data partnership researching artists working conditions

What we do

Artist studio table

Artquest works inside and outside the arts to help make the art world more equitable for all artists. Our sector consultation and advice is backed up by evidence and data on how artists work to build better processes, reducing barriers and making sure all artists voices can be heard.

Research interests include modelling artists careers and developing more equitable application and selection processes for competitive open calls.

For artists, our free, online resources cover every aspect of a visual artists practice: from contracts and copyright, commissions and internships, avoiding burnout and selling your work, we’ve something for everyone.

Our Artquest Exchange network puts you in contact with artists around the corner or around the world.

Artlaw

Free legal information for artists on any arts-related matter

Art Worlds

Read how diverse artists make an art practice in highly personal ways

PRIMER

Essential information for early career visual artists to help orient your professional life.

Artquest Exchange

A free peer to peer online community for individual professional visual artists, anywhere in the world. Find other artists to:

  • work and collaborate with, get feedback on your work, or advice on your career,
  • get to know artists in new places when you plan to travel,
  • find relevant content on our site more easily,
  • take part in our annual 30/30 challenge.

Find out more about Artquest Exchange, read the frequently asked questions and our code of conduct.

Rebecca Ryan, Neighbours, 2022
Rebecca Ryan, Neighbours, 2022

Research

Join us in researching the structures in the arts that impact artists working conditions, wellbeing and diversity, and help campaign for positive change.

A pixelated image of Girl with a Pearl Earing by Rembrandt

Each year Artquest works with hundreds of visual artists, as service users or freelance workers. We survey thousands more with our sector partners, and carry out formal and informal research into artists demographics, working conditions, barriers, ambitions and income.

All of our projects both directly benefit artists in their careers while finding out more about how they live and work. We use our research to generate insights into artists’ working conditions and the health of the arts workforce, without which the arts sector cannot exist.

Public art and commissions

Find out about the commissioning process, what to expect, and what to watch out for

Getting an exhibition

Find out about getting an exhibition, meeting curators, and doing it yourself

Artist residencies

Many artists want a residency, but what different types are there and what can you expect to get?

Latest updates

Clay City Spring Professional Residency
Opportunities

Throwing Shapes, in partnership with Staycity, offers three 3 month Professional Residencies for established ceramic artists and potters. This professional residency provides full studio access and free accommodation in central north Dublin during the chosen 3 month program. Applications are…

Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowships 2026–2028
Opportunities

Akademie Schloss Solitude is accepting applications for its residential fellowships for the period 2026–2028. International artists, researchers, and cultural professionals from all disciplines will have the opportunity to apply for a six or nine month fellowship. The Akademie Schloss Solitude…

Rome Residency in Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture 2026-7
Opportunities

The BSR in collaboration with the Bridget Riley Art Foundation are offering an opportunity for an early to mid career artist working within the disciplines of painting, drawing and/or sculpture to spend six months at the British School in Rome.…