Why support arts and creativity?
Supporting arts and creativity is crucial for fostering connections with woodlands and the wider National Forest. Not everyone feels confident accessing outdoor spaces, but through creative expression, we can encourage new audiences to explore, engage with, and appreciate nature. Art provides a universal language that surpasses barriers, inspiring curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
National Forest Arts Grants
The Arts Grants application window usually runs from September to early November for projects which will be delivered between January and September the following year.
Arts Grants are available to support the National Forest creative community to develop and pilot new projects inspired by the National Forest and in response to one or more of the following themes:
- Nature
- Health & Wellbeing
- Sense of Place
- Sustainability
- Climate Action
- Circular Economy
We usually hope to award 6 grants of up to £3000 and are looking for projects that develop new approaches to engaging people either through the development process or the sharing and celebration of the work.
What sort of projects are we looking to support?
The scheme is open to any art form, including but not restricted to, visual arts, crafts, creative writing, performance, dance, music, film, photography and digital arts.
We are looking for projects that share the values of the National Forest which are centred around the belief that tackling climate change is urgent, sustainability is achievable and only by working together with nature can society and the economy thrive.
This is the fifth round of National Forest Arts Grants. Previously supported projects have resulted in a variety of opportunities for people to experience the Forest in new and unique ways from podcasts, films, performances and songs, to a mobile exhibition which toured the Forest by bicycle.
Who are the Arts Grants aimed at?
This opportunity is available to artists, creative practitioners, arts organisations and community groups that are based within the National Forest or that can demonstrate an existing connection to the National Forest through previous experience of working with communities, organisations or sites within the area.
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are underrepresented in the creative and environmental sectors, including but not limited to, people from the Global Majority, D/deaf and disabled people and LGBTQ+ individuals.
How to apply
Applications for 2024 are now closed, however our team is always happy to provide advice and support on how to develop the next step in your project.
