The Economics of the Art System was the second Escalator Visual Arts Retreat. 10 artists and curators based in the Eastern were invited to come on the Retreat following a selection process.

They were: Liz Ballard, Annabel Dover, Laura Earley (Firstsite Gallery), Julie Freeman, Alistair Gentry, Helen Judge, David Kefford, Annabelle Shelton, Elaine Tribley, Martha Winter.

The Retreat was curated by Lecturer Kit Hammonds at the Royal College of Art and the programme included: A performance discussion by Olof Olsson; a discussion on the auction house by Sarah Thornton (Art correspondent and Author of Seven Days in the Art World) and Francis Outred (Director of Post War and Contemporary Art, Christies); a talk on commercial galleries followed by group discussion around issues of value led by Neil Cummings (artist and lecturer at Chelsea College of Art); a talk about commerical galleries as commissioning agents by Renaud Proch (Director The Project, New York); a talk by Pablo Leon de la Barra (artist curator) on the roles of dealer, artists and curator in an international context.

There were also individual crit sessions for the participants throughout the Retreat.

The Economics of the Art System took an in depth look at the art market, exploring the financial and cultural economies that drive the industry. From commercial galleries, collectors and art fairs, to the influence of auction houses the retreat questioned the value of art as commodity and the commercial influences on artists' practices, as well as considering survival tactics for artists, curators and gallerists.

The Economics of the Art System was the second in a series of Retreats that will take place at Wysing over the next two years. Each day involved a series of discussions, activites, critical feedback sessions and evening film screenings.

The Retreat was documented by artists Daniel Wilkinson and Ludovica Gioscia.

ESCALATOR is the pioneering talent plan from Arts Council England, East that finds, supports and invests in the best artistic talent across all artforms throughout the East of England. Escalator is establishing the East of England as the leading UK region for talent development. Since it launched in 2003, Escalator has helped over 250 artists to develop their work, forge new partnerships and reach new audiences.