In recognition of the crucial role the arts have to play in inspiring people to address the climate and nature emergencies, this publication is being launched on World Environment Day 2025, a day which encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
In this newly-released publication edited by Grug Muse, Future Wales Fellows Manon Awst, Cheryl Beer, Eric Lesdema, Zillah Bowes, Alison Neighbour, Simmy Singh, Julia Thomas and Iestyn Tyne offer their reflections and insights into the diverse routes on which their research journeys have taken them – to sites and communities across Wales, through different cultures and histories, and into their own minds and bodies.
You can read the publication here
The Future Wales Fellowship is a creative research opportunity which supports artists to develop research exploring connection with nature and the complex relationship between humans, nature, place and climate. It is delivered through a partnership between the Arts Council of Wales, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust Cymru, the Elan Valley Trust, and Peak Cymru.
Karine Décorne, the Creative Nature Programme Manager, said,
“The Fellowship was developed in response to the shared vision of the Creative Nature Partnership which was signed in 2020 between the Arts Council of Wales and Natural Resources Wales. Inspired by the need to take action in response to the climate and nature emergencies, this joint vision was about growing the relationship between nature and the arts, with the intention of nurturing creative talent and supporting more people from different backgrounds to access to nature and the arts.”
The first iteration of the Fellowship in 2022, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Alternative Technology, explored the theme of “food, energy and transport systems”.
The theme of “connection with nature” set for this second iteration of the Fellowship recognises that both nature and the arts have proven health and well-being benefits, and that the arts can help people feel connected to nature – which leads to wider societal and environmental benefits as it makes us more likely to take positive action towards a just and sustainable future.
Alongside time for research, the Fellowship included a development programme delivered by Peak Cymru, which comprised both of individual support for each Fellow and collective activity in the form of three residentials at the National Trust’s Stackpole site in Pembrokeshire and within the Elan Valley Trust’s site in Cwm Elan, Powys. These residentials were attended by the partners, who offer their own reflections in the publication on the new ideas, experiences and learning that the Fellows have shared during the Fellowship period.
