East Durham Artists Network (edan) is an emerging collective of professional visual artists dedicated to the development of the visual arts in the region.  As a newly formed group, members are either based in, or associated with, East Durham.

The group was constituted in October 2005 and we have over 50 committed members who come from East Durham and other parts of the North East, from the Tyne to the Tees and beyond.  edan is a purely artist led initiative and members to date represent a good cross section of the visual arts and include painters, glass artists, sculptors, textile artists and photographers. edan aims to make art and artists more accessible to the public and to act as a voice for practicing artists by providing information and support to both artist and public.  edan also fulfills a need for social interaction between artists and public through exhibitions and community based projects. Through these themed projects edan members are provided with the opportunity to research their subject within a safe environment while furthering their artistic and academic knowledge.

In the past, Durham in general has had little or nothing to offer the emerging or practicing artist, i.e. - lack of studio/work facilities, no exhibition space and few opportunities for practicing artists.  As artists, we feel there is a great potential for evelopment in Durham and the surrounding area;  edan was formed as an endeavor to try and redress this situation.  As an artist led network we are trying to raise the profile of visual arts activity in Durham and aim to establish links with artists, industry, commerce and the general public.  In the past two years we have contributed to the cultural activity of the region by using a variety of initiatives to take our art to the general public.  As project and exhibition space we have used mpty shops, office, local council and university spaces, a local nature reserve and gardens have been used for outdoor projects nd exhibitions.  edan has developed projects in educational settings and in the community which has enabled collaboration etween artists, scientists, theologians, educational providers, students and the general public.  As visual artists we have discovered that if we want our work to be seen,  then we must create our own Audiences.