Questionnaire for CVAN England

CVAN England is gathering evidence and case studies to try to influence capital funding opportunities.

Many visual arts organisations were unable to access the recent Creative Foundations Fund because of barriers such as restrictive eligibility criteria, RIBA Stage 3 design requirements, lack of internal capacity, and mismatched funding thresholds. These barriers disproportionately affect small-scale, grassroots, and independent organisations – the very spaces that are critical to supporting artists, sustaining creative practice, and enabling communities to engage with the visual arts.

CVAN is leading this short questionnaire to:
- Document the practical and systemic barriers faced by smaller and independent cultural organisations in accessing capital funding.
- Present clear, timely evidence to DCMS to help influence the design of future capital schemes so they are more equitable, accessible, and effective.
- Ensure the needs of our sector – especially organisations outside major metropolitan centres – are represented in national policy discussions.

The deadline for responses is 24 August. The findings will be shared with DCMS immediately and used to influence decisions being made about the design of future capital funding programmes. This is a critical opportunity to make your voice heard and to help ensure that capital investment reaches all parts of the creative and cultural ecosystem.

Could you complete the questionnaire here?

Please share this with other studios, galleries, and creative spaces that have faced similar challenges. Every response strengthens our collective voice and increases the chances of change.