Chester Visual Arts (CVA) is a registered charity established to bring visual arts in all its forms to the people of Chester and the surrounding region.

The result of 6 years of planning, established in 2017, CVA now works to support the region’s larger heritage and visual arts strategy.

CVA is governed by a Board of Trustees, comprising established business and arts professionals from the region. Through strategic partnerships and nurturing relationships with artists in the Northwest, CVA has presented seven well-received exhibitions, attracting and welcoming over 65,000 visitors.

Aims

CVA aims to make its work a permanent part of Chester and to enhance the city and the region as a better place to live, work and visit.

To achieve this, we have established a regular programme of quality events and exhibitions which will lead to Chester becoming recognised nationally and internationally for the visual arts.

CVA’s ultimate aim is to secure a permanent home within the city, as a creative visual arts centre and public art gallery of international standing. 

Chester has a proven appetite for culture, as well as an established population of practising artists of national and international standing. However, there is a clear gap in high-quality visual arts provision in the region. Chester Visual Arts is beginning to fill this gap. Building on our early successes, CVA has made swift gains in developing a local visual arts audience, and it is developing a vibrant visual arts culture for the region.

In 2019, CVA launched its learning programme, placing long-term emphasis on providing stimulating cultural and educational experiences for the wider public and young people. This includes accessible workshops, talks, school visits and tours, as well as digital activities. 

CVA has already made a significant impact on the region, achieving a number of impressive milestones, including:

+65K

Visitors attracted to our exhibitions in total

15,000

Visitors attracted to our first exhibition in 2017


Securing a 5-year exhibition partnership with the V&A Museum in 2018

Developing strategic partnerships with local creative groups, organisations and the cultural department of Cheshire West & Chester Council

Establishing a collaborative partnership with the University of Chester

Building a small professional freelance management team

Presenting its first learning programme in 2019, continuing to welcome school groups, provide workshops and Artist and Curatorial talks

Creating job opportunities within the local and regional arts economy 

Reanimated the vacant Old Library building in the city centre, providing an exhibition space

Regenerating and revitalising a large empty retail unit in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, creating a professional art gallery

Developing strong relationships with international/national arts leaders, artists and galleries

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