Rappers OneDa, Still Shadey and Artist Rob St John amongst host of writers and artists that will connect new communities with their local National Landscape.
Today 10 September, National Landscapes announce the start of a £2M ground-breaking national art programme, Nature Calling, funded by Arts Council England (as part of the Lottery funded National Significant Project stream), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) (as part of the Protected Landscapes Partnership) and National Landscapes in England.
Rappers OneDa, Still Shadey; artists Rob St John, David Blandy and Daniel Locke, Matthew Rosier, Becca Gill, INSTAR; writers Louisa Adjoa Parker, Lee Nelson, up-and-coming writer Ayesha Chouglay; and a collaboration with Jason Singh, Gwyneth Herbert and Chris Howard, are amongst those involved.
Artwork by Daniel Locke, for Eco Mofos by David Blandy
Co-delivered with Activate Performing Arts as executive creative producers and working with writers, musicians, visual artists and theatre-makers, Nature Calling aims to inspire new communities across England to connect with National Landscapes, increasing people’s access to nature, improving their wellbeing and inspiring a sense of belonging in these special places.
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.
When I saw Nature Calling advertised I leapt at the chance to be directly inspired by a natural environment that has depths of beauty to explore.
Rapper OneDa, commissioned writer for Forest of Bowland National Landscape
The programme 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, reaching an audience of tens of thousands.
National Landscapes are the UK’s nearby countryside
- 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape
- Over 1 million people live within them.
- At least 170 million people visit every year.
Nature Calling aims to encourage even more communities to feel welcome to enjoy these special places on their own terms.
The project is coordinated by the National Landscapes Association and executive creative producers, Dorset-based Activate Performing Arts. Poetry School are supporting the work nationally and six geographically spread National Landscapes will operate as key hubs of activity.
OneDa, rapper, commissioned writer for the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, said: “When I saw Nature Calling advertised I leapt at the chance to be directly inspired by a natural environment that has depths of beauty to explore. An earlier trip to Greenland took me to a place where the natural beauty was overwhelming yet so inspiring. I aim to combine my passion, talent and my creative outlook to explore the Forest of Bowland in a new way.”
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.’
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “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.”
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.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England
Jason Singh of SoundUK at the Womad Festival. SoundUK are commissioned writers and artists for Mendip Hills National Landscape
