About Dorset Visual Arts

Dorset Visual Arts is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity (1113249), established in 2006.

DVA enables the artists and makers of Dorset to fully realise the rewards that can come from pursuing their creative practice and growing their audience

Through:

Providing opportunities to connect with other members of Dorset's creative community, share their knowledge and experience, showcase their work, and develop their practice and promotional skills

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

How we do this:

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

DVAtions is DVA’s curated project programme.

The programme started in spring 2025 with Biophilia, a touring exhibition between south west hospitals, enhancing clinical environments and which explored the relationship between creativity, nature and wellbeing.

In May, In Our Nature featured works by DVA Members in the stunning setting of the Fine Foundation Gallery, near Swanage, and in partnership with Durlston Country Park.

In the autumn, Droves & Downs awarded bursaries to four artists to explore the hidden stories of Cranborne Chase, This was delivered in partnership with Cranborne Chase National Landscape, and supported by Dorset Council Community and Culture funding. After showing at Shaftesbury Arts Centre in November 2025, the project moved to The Museum of East Dorset in spring 2026, featuring in Dorset Art Weeks (venue 69) and also as part of Wimborne Town of Culture.

Finally, 2025 ended with The Dorset Open, a major new Open Call opportunity for south west artists which showed at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

Further opportunities are now being developed for 2027.

Dorset Art Weeks

DAW is the largest visual arts event of its kind in Dorset, offering an amazing variety of art from traditional to contemporary, showcased by Dorset artists, makers, and designers. Visitors are free to drop in during opening hours to homes, studios, workshops, galleries, and other interesting venues, many with staggering views of the coast and countryside, while others are conveniently located on high streets and industrial estates.

Artists and makers are happy to discuss their materials, methods, and inspirations, offering visitors the chance to engage with their work. Visitors can explore individual studios or discover group exhibitions.

All 2026 venue details can be found here

Our DAW yellow signs guide you to artists' doors across the county. If you are unable to attend on the scheduled days, most venues are happy to arrange an alternative visit, even year-round. Please get in touch with venues directly to enquire.

Dorset Art Weeks returns 15-31 May 2027

Dorset Visual Arts is grateful for support from:

Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants

Organisation Support Revenue Funding from Dorset Council

DVA have declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency with Culture Declares