We are delighted to announce that Dorset National Landscape becomes a major Hub in a new £2M ground-breaking national art project.
Dorset National Landscape is going to feature as a major hub in a £2M ground-breaking national art project, Nature Calling, funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) and National Landscapes in England.
Nature Calling is a first for National Landscapes because of its size, scope and the level of investment. It aims to inspire communities across England to connect with National Landscapes, increasing their access to nature, improving their wellbeing and inspiring a sense of belonging in these special places.
Nature Calling will bring together the 34 National Landscapes in England, local arts organisations and community groups from within a 30-minute journey time of their nearby National Landscape. They will work together to co-create artworks inspired by these iconic places and the results will then be shared with the public in a Season of Art from May – October 2025. It is expected that 70,000 people will take part.
Nature Calling focuses on ensuring our landscapes are a place for everyone. It will engage new audiences across England and inspire the whole National Landscapes family, whilst bringing the special qualities of our National Landscapes to the fore.
“Throughout time, our greatest artists have been inspired by England’s wonderful landscape. Now, we’re supporting a new generation of artists to bring to life their own awe-inspiring work in response to our natural environment. I’m excited to see what they will create.”
Nature Calling is a partnership project between the National Landscapes Association, Activate Performing Arts, Poetry School and 6 National Landscapes that will operate as key hubs of activity. Taking inspiration from National Landscapes, writers will start the creative process with words in the form of poetry, song, prose or rap for example. Using these words, local communities will work with artists to co-create their presentation piece for the Season of Art. This could include dance, theatre, installation, digital, or music.
Dorset writer and artists
Here in Dorset we will work with communities in Yeovil, on the northern of the National Landscape, and as the project develops, we will share information about how people can get involved.
We are very pleased to announce that Louisa Adjoa Parker (pictured), a writer of English-Ghanaian heritage who lives in Southwest England, and Becca Gill, an artist and producer working in outdoor arts, community engagement, and mass participatory events, will be exploring and celebrating the iconic Dorset landscape.
Nature Calling marks the first time Defra has invested in the arts on a national scale and is the first time National Landscapes teams have come together in such numbers to deliver an arts programme.
John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said “The great thing about Nature Calling is that it’s a chance for new voices to interpret the National Landscapes of England in new ways. Arts Council England and Defra funding means we can deliver our first all-England arts programme with six National Landscape teams working with artists to celebrate these iconic places with a season of events in 2025.”
Kate Wood, Executive and Artistic Director for Activate Performing Arts said:
‘We have worked with our partners across the country to select a really diverse range of extraordinary writers, musicians and artists. We are thrilled with their ideas for Nature Calling and look forward to working with them and the communities in all the locations.’
To get find out more visit www.naturecalling.org.uk