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 

We want to grow Artquest Exchange into a thriving, supportive community of professional visual artists. To do that, we’re rethinking who the network is for—and we want your input.

Whether you’re already a member or not, if you’re a professional visual artist, we’d love to hear your thoughts in a brief survey. 

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. 

Proposed Changes 

We’re now considering narrowing the membership criteria to create a more focused, active community. 

One option is to adopt the same 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

These criteria help unions advocate for their members. However, we understand they might not be suitable for a free online network—even one intended for working professional artists. 

We’re especially mindful that stricter criteria could exclude artists facing systemic barriers to participation in the art world. 

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. 

Share Your Thoughts 

We’re running a short survey to gather feedback on these proposed changes. 

  • It takes about 5 minutes 
  • It’s anonymous, even if you’re signed in to Artquest Exchange 

Survey

This survey will take around 5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and cannot be tracked back to your Exchange profile in any way.

SURVEY: Exchange Membership Criteria Survey 2025
Are you currently a member of Artquest Exchange?
Do you consider yourself a professional artist?
Do you believe Artquest Exchange should be open to all artists, including those who create art but do not earn—or intend to earn—their living from it?
Do you feel that you experience any structural barriers working as a professional artist?
Do you experience barriers working as an artist on the basis of any of the below? (Select all that apply).
Should we have clearer definition of what constitutes a “Professional” visual artist as membership criteria for Artquest Exchange?

We are considering using Artists Union England’s criteria which asks that potential members meet at least 3 of the following criteria to become a member. Please indicate which criteria you think Artquest Exchange members could choose from from the list below.

Artist Union England criteria for professional artists – please select which criteria you think Artquest Exchange members could choose from from the list below.
Do you think Artquest Exchange members should meet more or less that 3 of the above criteria to become a member?
Data consent
I understand and consent that the data I supply here is anonymous, will be used the for the purposes of evaluating and developing Artquest Exchange and will be stored securely on servers in the UK for 12 months.