DVAtions is a brand new innovative programme of curated exhibitions, events and projects across Dorset from Spring 2025, brought to you by Dorset Visual Arts.

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES

  • IN OUR NATURE

    EXCLUSIVE and FREE to Dorset Visual Arts Members.

    As part of the 2025 DVAtions programme, ‘IN OUR NATURE’ invites submissions from Dorset Visual Arts Members making work in, of or about Dorset’s natural environment, landscape and unique biodiversity.

    SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED

  • BIOPHILIA

    OPEN CALL

    Biophilia, n. A love or empathy with the natural world, especially when seen as a human instinct

    Dorset County Hospital
    April - July  2025

    In partnership with Arts in Hospital and The Arborealists, Dorset Visual Arts announces an Open Call to Dorset artists for works which relate to the theme Biophilia, with a particular focus on trees, woodland, hedgerows and commons. 

    SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED

  • DROVES & DOWNS

    BURSARY AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITY

    In partnership with Cranborne Chase National Landscape, Dorset Visual Arts is launching an exciting new Arts and Landscape Project. The project will award four DVA supported Bursaries to Dorset artists, enabling them to create new work inspired by and focused on Cranborne Chase.

    The project will culminate in a group exhibition at Shaftesbury Arts Centre in November 2025.

    The callout is open to all Dorset artists and makers, with particular encouragement for applications from artists living in or near Cranborne Chase and East Dorset, as well as younger and emerging artists.

    This project is made possible by Dorset Council Culture and Community Funding.

    Deadline for applications:
    30 May, 5pm

    FIND OUT MORE

DVAtions will celebrate Dorset as a place of cultural excellence where high quality, exciting and ambitious fine and contemporary art and craft is created.

Launching Spring 2025, Dorset Visual Arts will present this new event to complement our existing and popular bi-ennial Dorset Art Weeks.

DVAtions will see DVA work with arts partners, cultural organisations and historic venues across the breadth of Dorset creating a series of curated interventions, exhibitions, projects and commissions.

This new approach will support DVA members to explore and develop their creative practice and to provide new cultural experiences for audiences.

DVAtions will provide Dorset artists and makers with a different range of opportunities to present work with a more diverse, dynamic, distinct focus, a creative complement to the mainly Open Studios format of Dorset Art Weeks.

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What will DVAtions look like?

DVAtions will celebrate the best of Dorset,
its culture, heritage and environment,
whilst providing a platform for nurturing
and presenting emerging talent.

Partners

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Culture Declares
Dorset Visual Arts have declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency with Culture Declares.

Declaration
The visual arts, and artists, are in a unique position to comment, reflect on, and shape the world around us. Creativity can play a vital role in connecting individuals and communities, informing and explaining, and setting radical discourse, where it finds itself at the junction of enquiry, debate and visual appreciation.

Dorset Visual Arts wishes to encourage its members to engage more critically around issues of sustainability and climate change not only in the subject of their finished work but also in the making and production of it. DVA wants to take action on climate change, through supporting the production and promotion of new work from individuals and commissioned work in its programme, such as through Art Weeks events, Education work and community engagement.

Art - Ecology - Community