Herts Visual Arts (HVA) is a vibrant, voluntary, not-for-profit organisation that celebrates and promotes the visual arts across Hertfordshire. We connect artists, makers, and communities through exhibitions, events and opportunities to share creativity..

We have over 400 members who are local artists creating visual art across Hertfordshire. Our volunteer-run activities enable artists to improve and grow in their respective fields of creative arts. The diverse networking groups within HVA, and the training and information we offer, combine to provide members with support, contribute to their creative development, and reduce isolation.

Our members include artists with different levels of experience and stages of development who create a wide variety of visual art. Few members are professional artists; many want to sell their art. HVA offers support, encouragement, and skill-sharing to support that goal alongside the exhibition opportunities.

The findings from a recent survey of members are being used in a review of our strategic direction; to assess potential interest in planned new initiatives; and to identify other things we could offer in the future to meet members' needs. We have already implemented some changes to our website based on feedback from the survey.

HVA activities bring benefits to our members and to the wide community. We foster and promote understanding, appreciation and knowledge of visual arts to residents and visitors to Hertfordshire, offering more opportunities for this wider community to see, enjoy and be inspired by visual arts, thereby contributing to mental health and wellbeing.

Research reports in the public domain clearly show the benefit offered by visual arts to mental health and wellbeing, and art therapy is now widely available in various settings.

Herts Visual Arts

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