About Turning Point Network

What is the Turning Point Network?

Turning Point Network is a national consortium of artists, arts professionals and arts organisations in England dedicated to working together to find new ways to strengthen the visual arts, and to support the arts more broadly.

What is the purpose of the network?

The purpose of the network is to connect people working in the visual arts with each other, and with professionals in other fields around the world, in order to share information, ideas and resources. We are dedicated to working together to realise a stronger visual arts for the benefit of artists, arts organisations and audiences, present and future.

How many people are involved?

There are currently about 200 people working on regional steering groups and we estimate that more that 2,000 artists and arts organisations are involved in the wider network, either as members of working groups or as participants in regional activity.

When was the network established, and who formed it?

The network emerged following the largest review of the visual art ever undertaken, and the subsequent publication of Turning Point by Arts Council England in 2006. Turning Point acknowledged a vibrant and talented sector but identified that better communication and more collaboration would lead to a stronger, more sustainable visual arts and one that delivered better value for its audiences. Turning Point Network is the sector’s joint response to this challenge. The development of the network was initiated by Arts Council England, who wanted to forge an independent network of visual arts professionals sharing ideas and resources to strengthen their sector.

How is the network funded?

The Turning Point Network has a number of funders, and welcomes financial support from any ethical source.

How does the network work?

The network is made up of artists, independent arts professionals and leaders of arts organisations from across the country. There are eleven steering groups who meet around once each month. Groups have developed at different times - the first group forming three years ago, and the last in spring 2010 – and are organised in different ways, to reflect their geographic context. Each group has defined its own programme of work, and delivers regionally focussed activity to help support and improve the visual arts. In addition the Chairs of the eleven groups meet once a quarter, and have commissioned a number of national working groups looking at things such as advocacy and sustainable business models.