Each artist will receive a grant of £25,000 to spend 16 months undertaking creative research on the theme of 'connection to nature'. It's an opportunity to challenge the understanding of our relationship to nature, how to reconnect with it, and to explore the artist’s own relationship with nature.
The eight artists are:
- Manon Awst
- Zillah Bowes
- Cheryl Beer
- Eric Lesdema
- Alison Neighbour
- Simmy Singh
- Julia Thomas
- Iestyn Tyne
The Future Wales Fellowship is part of the Creative Nature Programme between Natural Resources Wales and Arts Council of Wales, which aims to cultivate the relationship between the arts and the natural environment, as part of a shared commitment to improve the environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. They are joined by additional partners National Trust Cymru and the Elan Valley Trust this year for the ‘connection to nature’ theme. Peak Cymru, in collaboration with arts manager Elen Roberts, will host the development programme for the fellows.
Judith Musker Turner who is currently leading the Arts Council's work on the arts and climate justice said:
“Artists were invited to apply to join the Future Wales Fellowship in an open call-out in August and September 2023. It was an extremely competitive process, and we received an incredible 188 applications from a diverse set of talented people from across Wales. We would like to thank each end every one of them for their time and interest.
We are delighted to have selected 8 exceptional individuals for the Fellowship. However, we also wish to acknowledge the enormous amount of care, passion and understanding of connection to nature and climate change issues amongst artists and creative individuals in Wales, which is demonstrated by the strength of the response to this opportunity. Arts Council of Wales, Natural Resources Wales, Elan Valley Trust and National Trust are committed to exploring and identifying other opportunities within our organisations and beyond to nurture artistic practice focused upon these themes, recognising the power of the arts to contribute meaningfully to tackling the climate and nature emergencies.”
Joe Roberts from National Resources Wales said:
“How connected we feel to nature has a strong influence on how we act towards it. This Fellowships will explore our individual and cultural relationship with nature through creative enquiry. In collaboration with the project partners, Peak Cymru will be making a space for the Fellows to experiment, explore, question and challenge. We look forward to seeing how this exciting new cohort will bring together its collective knowledge, passion and experience to respond to the theme.
Wales’s creative community has once again shown its dedication and enthusiasm to inspire a better future for our planet. We were humbled by the strength of the applications we received, and will continue to build our partnership with the cultural sector so that more artists can use their voices to help nurture society’s relationship with nature.”