Interior view of an artist studio

Artquest

Understanding visual artists

Future challenges for Artquest

Learn how we’re considering financial challenges and changing our programme in response to a 58% loss of value to our income since 2010

Artist opportunities

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

Who Gets To Be An Artist?

How sustainable are artists careers, when two thirds don’t earn money from their practice, and nearly a third don’t have savings to last a month?

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

National Memorial to Journalists on the Frontline Public Art Commission
Opportunities

The Royal Society of Sculptors, in partnership with the On The Record memorial trustees, invites submissions from artists and sculptors to design and deliver an innovative and inspirational public artwork to be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.…

2028 McKinney International Art and Design Residency
Opportunities

The Eskenazi School of Art Architecture + Design at Indiana University Bloomington invites applications for a 4–6 week McKinney International Art and Design Residency. An established artist or designer will be selected whose primary country of residence is outside the…

Totally Thames Festival 2026: Seed Funder Programme
Opportunities

Totally Thames Festival is an annual season of unique, diverse and inclusive arts and culture throughout the month of September. The Seed Funder Programme offers up to £1,000 for project development, marketing and development support and networking opportunities. Thames Festival…