Forest of Bowland National Landscape: Nature Calling
Major Hub in £2m Ground-Breaking National Art Project
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is going to feature as a major hub in a £2M ground-breaking national art project, Nature Calling, which is funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) and National Landscapes in England.
Working with writer, rapper and performer OneDa, and artist Rob St John, the National Landscape team will creatively engage with young people from Burnley and Nelson to collaborate, explore, and connect with nature.
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 nationally.
Here at the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, we will work with communities from Burnley and Nelson, offering young people in particular an opportunity to explore and be inspired by this outstanding countryside on the doorstep. We will work through Blaze Arts and Lancaster Arts to reach new audiences and to ensure we produce high quality ambitious art, inspired by and placed in the beautiful Bowland environment.
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.”
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.”
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. To get find out more and ways to get involved click here.