A Human-Centred Approach to the Visual Arts

The government has announced a major investment of £270 million through the Arts Everywhere Fund to boost growth in culture for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector.

Lisa Nandy’s recent speech reaffirmed what we in the visual arts sector know: culture is essential, not a luxury. She championed arts as a force for opportunity, inclusion, and national renewal, but we must ensure this belief translates into long-term structural change. The investment is welcomed and sustains capital of £85 million through the Creative Foundations Fund, and the Museums sector has had some significant investments.

What’s missing?

We need a policy shift:

• A recognition that investment in cultural infrastructure alone isn’t enough—we need support for artists, curators, educators, and cultural workers who sustain the sector.
• A Treasury that understands the arts beyond economic growth outputs—they shape identity, education, and social cohesion.
• A long-term investment strategy that stops the cycle of crisis funding and embeds the arts into industrial strategy, education, and public policy.
• The arts are not just buildings or institutions—they are people, relationships, and creativity. If we want to truly sustain the sector, we need a human-centred approach to policy.

How do we make this happen?

CVAN are advocating for the visual arts sector, pushing for long-term investment, and ensure the visual arts are recognised as integral to society. This is the moment to act. The future of our sector depends on it.

Keep updated on CVAN's campaign work and how to get involved.