Artquest Exchange is a free online professional network for individual visual artists. It’s a space for artists to: 

  • Meet socially 
  • Collaborate on projects 
  • Share ideas and services 
  • Talk about their work 

Survey results

We recently surveyed Artquest Exchange members and our wider community about whether we should clarify what constitutes a professional artist for the purposes of Exchange membership. As part of this, we proposed adopting the same criteria used by Artists’ Union England.

The survey has now closed, and here are the results:

  • Over 160 artists completed the survey.
  • 69% of respondents were current Artquest Exchange members.
  • 77% said they experience structural barriers when working as a professional artist.
  • 77% felt that Artquest Exchange should remain open to all artists, including those who create art without earning—or intending to earn—a living from their practice.
  • 64% agreed that we should have a clearer definition of what constitutes a “professional” visual artist for Exchange membership.
  • When asked how many criteria should be required for membership:
    • 55% felt that meeting three criteria was reasonable,
    • 40% felt that two criteria were enough, and
    • 5% felt that more than three should be required.
  • The three most popular criteria considered indicators of being a professional artist were:
    • Regularly making and exhibiting work (16%)
    • Being involved in self-created professional opportunities (12%)
    • Holding a degree, BTEC, or diploma in visual or applied arts at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level (10%)
    • An additional 10% felt that all criteria should be accepted.

We’ll be reflecting on these findings over the coming months and expect to introduce any changes in early 2026. Please note that any updates to membership criteria will not affect the membership status of current Artquest Exchange members.

Current Membership Policy 

Right now, when you apply to join Artquest Exchange, a member of our team reviews your profile. If your biography, profile statement, or links (e.g. website or social media) show that you’re actively making visual art, your request is approved. 

We don’t assess: 

  • Your career stage 
  • The kind of work you make 
  • Whether your work fits within specific artistic practices 

This approach helps us keep Artquest Exchange open and accessible. 

Artists’ Union England criteria

The criteria used by Artists’ Union England (AUE)—the trade union for visual, applied, and socially engaged artists in England. 

AUE members must meet at least three of the following: 

  • You are regularly making and exhibiting artwork
  • You have received professional grants or awards
  • You are involved in organising self-created professional opportunities, for example, running an artist-led studio or project
  • You have a degree/BTEC/Diploma in visual or applied arts at undergraduate and/or post-graduate level
  • Your work is socially engaged, and/or you work as a participatory or community artist.
  • You have been commissioned as an artist 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 on-line curated platform
  • You are represented by a gallery
  • You have taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme

What About Current Members? 

If we introduce new membership criteria, no current members will be removed. We simply don’t have the resources—or the desire—to do that.