A bi-monthly cross-regional programme of online conversations, shared learning and connection for visual arts organisations across the East and West Midlands.

Better Together is delivered by CVAN EM and CVAN WM, creating space for organisations to share experiences and explore collective approaches to the challenges and opportunities facing the visual arts sector.

The programme began in the East Midlands in 2023 and expanded to bring together colleagues from across both the East and West Midlands in 2025. Sessions take place every two months, each time focusing on a different urgent or timely topic relevant to the regions’ visual arts and wider arts and culture sector.

Better Together provides a supportive environment for arts workers to learn from one another and consider how we can work together to strengthen the sector.

What does Better Together offer?

Each session is shaped around a specific topic, with contributions from invited speakers, practitioners and sector colleagues. Sessions prioritise open discussion, shared learning and opportunities to explore the experiences and challenges of working in the visual arts.

Topics have included organisational sustainability, governance, Access to Work, secondary income generation, artist studios, art technical workforces, and approaches to working differently.

The programme aims to:

• Create space for connection and shared learning between colleagues working across the East and West Midlands.
• Explore current challenges and opportunities affecting visual arts organisations, artists and arts workers.
• Support open conversation and collective thinking around how the sector can develop more sustainable, inclusive and collaborative approaches.
• Share practical knowledge and experience that can inform organisational practice.

How does it work?

Sessions last one hour, with time for a short presentation, conversation, questions and shared discussion. Sessions are typically not recorded.

The programme is open to colleagues working across the East and West Midlands, and we particularly encourage directors, trustees and programme leads to participate and share current organisational challenges, recognising the role they play in shaping organisational practice, supporting colleagues and influencing the visual arts ecology. Better Together’s organisational focus is a deliberate means of creating wider sector impact. Sessions also engage artists and arts workers where the topic and format are relevant to their practice.

Join the conversation

Better Together sessions are an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the two regions, exchange ideas and contribute to conversations about the future of the visual arts sector.

Explore upcoming sessions via our What’s On page or subscribe to our mailing list for updates on future conversations.