We are delighted to announce that our application to Arts Council England for our new 2 year programme was successful. This programme will see us deliver three strands of exciting and innovative activity, launching in 2018.
The Forest is the Museum
The Forest is the Museum is a programme of artists in residence at Fineshade Wood, a Forestry Commission managed natural habitat and ancient mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland, heritage site and leisure facility in Northamptonshire, 13 miles outside of Corby.
The four artists in residence will be Edwina fitzPatrick, Justin Carter, Abigail Lane, and Owl Project.
The Outdoor Institute of Art
The Outdoor Institute of Art is an alternative art school conceived by Yasmin Canvin, with a curriculum which will consist of discussions, skills and knowledge sharing events between artists, experts in relevant fields, the arts sector and members of the public. With specific focus on artists using digital technology, artists working with Special Educational Needs students, a mentoring programme for early career artists, and a training programme for arts organisations to deliver outdoor education workshops.
The Arches
The third strand is the development of spaces in the buildings at Fineshade Wood, known as the Arches, into high quality artist studio spaces plus a contemporary visual arts programme to launch them. The Forestry Commission are also investing £40,000 on structural work for the Arches.
Arts Council commented:
“All confirmed artists have strong track records of delivering engaging contemporary art projects in the outdoor environment. The project is clearly described and likely to result in work of high quality.
The programme of activity as a whole represents a significant partnership with the Forestry Commission, and is complementary to and consistent with the Forestry Commission’s Memorandum of Understanding with Arts Council England.”
Our new 2 year programme will begin in January 2018.