The initiative is led by CVAN South East (Contemporary Visual Arts Network South East) and is currently a partnership between four galleries: Aspex Portsmouth, Modern Art Oxford, Phoenix Art Space in Brighton and Gallery 101 (University of Plymouth supported by Arts University Plymouth and Falmouth University). Following an exhibition and events programme across the participating galleries, an artist from each gallery is selected to form a cohort of four awardees.
Platform focuses on artists in the first year after graduation; a critical time when the loss of the university support structure and financial pressures can test an artist’s dedication to their practice. For the participating galleries, this is a way to keep in touch with the most promising emerging practice, and with higher education institutions. More broadly, the scheme aims to stimulate artist networks outside of London and encourage artists to stay in the South East region.
