As we mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek here are some of the w…

As we mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek here are some of the ways projects we have supported also #connectwithnature – something we are lucky to have on our doorstep here. How can you incorporate nature into your artistic practice? Making time for both is vital! All our work is made possible thanks to @heritagefunduk and @aceagrams

Play, Work, Stay Sept 2019: This was a unique event in the area as this kind of professional development training is usually only accessible in large urban centres. It helped attendees think about how to embark on a creative career and what to do to make a success of it. Many delegates cited the beautiful, open surroundings as especially inspirational to their work.

Watch This Space: @melissawrote asked people to tell her how they felt when they stepped out of their front door. The result was a poem which she created live from @comidakendal and passers by could watch on their daily exercise allowance. It was streamed live on Instagram for those who couldn’t attend in person.

Students from @kendlaartdesign worked with artist @hellostephfulke to create an art installation which raised awareness of @back_on_our_map which is reintroducing multiple endangered species of fauna and flora back into the South Lakes.

@aerialfestival: All the works in this new festival are inspired by the natural, cultural or social history of Cumbria and are still available online for free. Rediscover the beauty of the area through sound, spoken word and film.

Seedfundees: “From the very start of their stay I learnt so much. About how to let go, to not worry so much about what I am creating and its commercial viability.” Rachel Thornton (@rachelthorntonart) is just one of many projects we have funded that incorporates nature and culture. We funded a cultural exchange between Rachel, based in Bentham, and Kees and Carmen in rural Mexico.

Song Surgery: Prescription poems and remedial tunes have been handed out to anyone feeling stressed out at special surgeries at Ambleside Parish Centre and Craven Arts Hub in Skipton. Opera singer Bibi Heal offered drop-ins and customised verse for a range of maladies at the new initiative.
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#connectwithnature