An explanation of how we keep membership of Artquest Exchange to professional visual artists anywhere in the world
In 2025 we sent a survey to members of Artquest Exchange to ask them about how the network should develop in future. The results of this survey have helped us think about who the network should be for. We have come up with a clearer definition of membership, and changed eligibility for the network.
These membership criteria will apply to people taking part in our annual 30/30 challenge project from 2027.
Who is Artquest Exchange for?
Artquest Exchange is for professional visual artists. We’ve clarified how we define this below.
Visual artists
A visual artist is someone with an active practice creating new artworks in one of these media:
- 2-D / flat unique works like:
- painting / drawing
- 2-D / flat reproducible works like:
- photography / text and artist books (but not literature or books you might find in mainstream bookshops) / printmaking
- 3-D works like:
- sculpture / installation
- Time-based works like:
- performance art / artist video, film and moving image (but not movies like you might find in the cinema) / sound art / socially engaged practice or social art
- Digital, new media, or online artworks
- Works that are often classified as craft or by craft makers
- Interdisciplinary work, like any combination of these.
These areas of work are the definitions used by Arts Council England’s visual arts department. As one of our main funders, we use their very broad definitions.
There are limits to what we can consider visual or fine arts. Membership of Artquest Exchange is not open to artists in other art forms like dance and choreography, theatre, design, illustration, fashion, architecture, poetry or music. Below are some networks that might offer similar support to Artquest or Artquest Exchange for other art forms.
Networks for other art forms
Dance and Choreography
Poetry
If you are not sure you sit within our definition of visual arts, include web links and a description of your work when you register so we can understand your practice when applying for membership. We take a generous and open view of artistic practice.
Professional
Artquest Exchange members should have an active and developing professional visual arts practice. We don’t judge professionalism solely by income so that we can include people with diverse careers, and those who experience barriers to progression.
New members need to meet any three of the criteria below:
- You are regularly making and exhibiting artwork.
- You have received professional grants or awards.
- You are involved in organising self-created opportunities for yourself and/or other artists, like running an artist-led project, peer mentoring group, or organising exhibitions.
- Your work is socially engaged, participatory or community-based.
- You have been commissioned to make art by a public institution.
- Your artwork has been purchased by a public collection.
- Your artwork has been reviewed or featured in an art journal, magazine, newspaper or other selected online platform.
- You are represented by a gallery.
- You have taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme.
- You have a BTEC / Diploma / degree / MA / PhD in visual or applied arts.
- You are currently studying for a BTEC / Diploma / degree / MA / PhD in visual or applied arts.
UAL
Artquest is a public programme of University of the Arts London (UAL).
If you are a current member of teaching, academic, professional or technical staff at UAL, this also counts as one of the three eligibility criteria. You should also meet at least two of the other professional criteria above.
Approving membership requests
Every application is read by a member of the Artquest team, who are all actively practicing visual artists.
In your application you can tell us what criteria you meet. You can also support your application by filling in as much of your profile as you can.
Top tips include:
Fully complete the “About me” and “About my work” sections
Even a short paragraph outlining your professional background, artistic practice, and the type of work you do is enough. If you’re unsure what to write, our articles on artist biographies and artist statements can offer guidance. Many artists paste the text from their own professional website.
Avoid temporary or placeholder text
Since the strength of the community relies on active members with complete profiles, profiles containing placeholder text are likely to be rejected.
Include links where we can view your work online
This could be your own artist website, links to the arts organisations you have worked with that name you, or even your social media profile that shows your professional work. Our article on building an online presence explains why it’s important for artists to be visible online.