Radius, a new Immersive Network led by Watershed, launches
Posted on Wed 11 Nov
A new network of UK venues has launched to bring immersive art to audiences beyond the festival circuit.
Radius, is led by Watershed, working with Wales Millennium Centre (Cardiff), FACT (Liverpool) and Broadway Cinema (Nottingham). The four venues already show immersive work, but each comes from different backgrounds: Watershed and Broadway are rooted in cinema, Wales Millennium Centre in the performing arts, and FACT in the visual arts. They also differ in scale, approach and geography, differences the network treats as a strength.
Funded by Arts Council England, Radius builds capacity and shared knowledge across the sector. The aim is simple: more immersive work reaching more audiences, and better conditions for the artists who make it.
Immersive art, from XR, interactive installations, films, video games, and sound art is rarely seen outside festivals and online platforms. Funding to make it is growing, but money to present it is scarce, and touring routes are largely built by artists themselves. Presenting it well also demands technical flexibility, curatorial knowledge, bespoke front-of-house practice, creative approaches to access and experienced production support.
Radius will find, adapt, present and tour immersive work and share what it learns so other venues can do the same. Artists get one route into several venues and early guidance on designing work that tours; venues share expertise and risk. The network plans to grow internationally.
Amy Rose, Lead Curator, Undershed says:
"Contemporary audiences are fascinated by immersive artwork – but presenting it can be a complex task. Radius was created to help venues explore these challenges together. We believe audiences everywhere should have access to ambitious immersive work, and that venues of all sizes can feel confident in exploring this innovative and ever-expanding field with the right support. Whether you are already exhibiting immersive experiences, planning your first exhibition or developing an existing programme, we would love to connect..."
At launch, Radius published the Immersive Exhibition Parameters Matrix: a public spreadsheet setting out each venue's practical, financial and creative capacity for immersive exhibition. It shows artists the parameters they are working within, and other venues are invited to add their own. This is the first in a series of resources designed to help everyone develop their practice around immersive exhibition.
The launch follows two years of groundwork, from summer 2024 to 2026. During this time the team observed:
1. Venues mostly do what they were built to do; presenting immersive work well means investing in their systems and skills.
2. Fewer projects sit in the accessible middle ground between commercial spectacle and arthouse.
3. For now, subsidy is essential: relying on ticket income alone pushes venues towards high-throughput spectacle.
4. Sharing funding, risk and even tour income across venues could help everyone survive.
5. Venues need to be more transparent about what is possible — hence the Matrix.
Visit the Radius website to find more about the network and explore the Matrix.
Join the next Radius Online Open Forum
Radius’s Open Forum 2: Access, takes place on Tuesday 19 January, 11:30 -13:00. It looks at best accessibility practice when installing and presenting immersive work, including how to reach communities underserved by current immersive exhibitions.