Research reports into the visual arts and crafts can form a vital resource for practitioners. Often, funding applications, advocacy and support can be reinforced by references to official reports with standardised research methodologies.

The Artists Research project (formerly the Visual Arts Research Unit) at Wimbledon College of Arts' Engine Room compiled and published links to 84 such reports, and Artquest has recently taken over stewardship of this resource.

In the coming year Artquest is planning a major website redevelopment to better showcase and present the vast range of information we provide, and this important resource will be fully integrated into our new web structure.  In the meantime, we present a text list of major arts research reports in text format to help artists understand the environment in which they operate and to provide a useful resource for funding and advocacy.

Artists Research was established to make available quality evidence about artists in the social and economic spheres.  It was interactive, supportive, collaborative and inclusive of the visual arts in all their diversity, and included research about contemporary artists and creative craft practitioners from all backgrounds and across all media.

Another useful resource for artists and application writers is the Creative Choices Data Generator, is an interactive online service designed to help individuals and businesses in the creative sector to access the latest industry research and analysis.  You can:

• Download ready-made reports and research on the creative and cultural sector, or create your own reports by sector, by location and by theme.
• Compare the economic contribution of your sector to the UK, assess employment growth, compare and contrast demographic data across sectors and regions, and analyse the skills the industry needs to be successful.
• Generate reports tailored to your needs, add comments, share and download the finished reports in a choice of formats. Use the bespoke reports to support research, case-making, and policy and funding applications and decisions.

• making applications
• working professionally
• grant
• funding
• collaboration
• working with partners