I’ve heard various artist, wealthy collectors and VIPs say London has become the Mecca for the visual arts. It is said, collectors arrive in London from all over the world because there is more to see and do, at any one time, than anywhere else! Is that true and is there enough variety in what’s available to see? Some say New York isn’t as great as it was and institutes such as the Guggenheim fall short of the quality of shows exhibited at the National Gallery, Saatchi, the Tate, and British Museum. I disagree with this notion because it’s all subjective and determined by the artworld’s elite and their perception of what is ‘contemporary’ what is ‘good’ or just commercially viable. London or New York, I’m not convinced mainstream galleries and museums could afford to stray away from what will be seen as commercially viable and entertain the greatest percentage of art buyers and followers. This is especially true in today’s financial climate where funding has literally disappeared, notably for smaller local projects. Artists need to promote themselves and each other to a variance of audiences, in a variety of environments with an ability to engage with community groups, art buyers and society as a whole. Money and resources are in short supply. Artist cannot rely on funding opportunities, a gallery space or a great website. All of the aforementioned help but a more proactive and collective approach, married to more community centred work is necessary, not only for the survival of the individual artist but for championing the importance of art as part of our social fabric