About Us
Dorset Visual Arts is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity (1113249), established in 2006.
We have a membership of over 250 artists, designers and makers who live and, or work in Dorset. We recognise that artists and makers have different interests and needs in developing their work and careers, particularly in a mainly rural county. We are here to support visual artists and makers at all stages of their career, through a variety of activity.
Our Aims:
Dorset Visual Arts champions the advancement and appreciation of arts, design, and craft for public benefit by empowering Dorset's artists and makers to fully realise the potential of their creative practices
This is achieved through:
- Creative Development: Supporting the growth and quality of visual arts through bursaries, commissions, and other opportunities for Dorset's creative community
- Public Programming: Producing Art Weeks events and other curated public programmes that educate in, and promote awareness of, the visual arts, crafts, and making
- Community Building: Providing opportunities for members of Dorset’s creative community to connect, share knowledge and experience, showcase their work, and to develop their creative practice and promotional skills
For the artists and makers of Dorset, DVA:
- facilitates networking and interaction between members to help build a sense of connection and community
- creates and curates events, exhibitions, projects and other opportunities to raise creators’ profiles and enable them to showcase their work
- provides a range of support to enable members to find inspiration, build confidence, and develop their practice and their promotional skills
- provides members with opportunities to share the skills and knowledge they have acquired
- provides a broad platform of exposure by collaborating and interacting with other organisations in Dorset and beyond
- encourages the growth of Dorset’s visual arts community by providing routes for new and emerging artists
- works to grow the visual arts audience and to make visual arts more accessible to a broader range of participants
DVA is well known for its flagship event, Dorset Art Weeks, one of the oldest Open Studios Events in the country. Dorset Art Weeks is a visual arts event open to all artists, makers and designers practising in Dorset. You do not have to be a DVA member to participate in this event. The next Dorset Art Weeks will run 23 May - 7 June 2026.
2025 sees DVA launch an exciting new visual arts programme, DVAtions, with projects running in each region of the county.
Join DVA today for exclusive opportunities and stay up to date
Dorset Visual Arts is grateful for Organisation Support Revenue Funding from Dorset Council
Dorset Visual Arts have declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency with Culture Declares