The organisation focusses on developing projects and commissions for and with artists prodominently but not exclusively outwith the gallery space. The Centre's ambition is to break new ground for the role of artists within a public, social and cultural context. Founded in 2000 by previous Director Lucy Byatt, Jenny Crowe became lead officer in September 2002.

The Centre works with both public and private sector to nurture research and commissioning opportunities for artists within a broad spectrum of subject areas, this may involve other areas of the cultural industries such as collaboration with, film and new media, architecture and landscape design and industry, also within schools and more academic contexts such as universities and research centres.

The Centre aims:

- To break new ground for the role of artists;

- To act as a catalyst between the artist, target audience and other organisations;

- To enable meaningful opportunities and experiences for the artist, audience and other organisations;

- To able dialogue and exchange of information about socially engaged practice through the dissemination of projects.

The Centre would welcome opportunities to work in partnership with international organisations.