ACE and Forestry Commission pen four-year partnership

Arts Council England (ACE) and the Forestry Commission will continue their Forest Art Works programme until 2020 after signing a renewed Memorandum of Understanding.

In the new agreement, the two bodies pledge to deliver new art projects across all Forest Districts and Arts Council areas, particularly those with little cultural infrastructure and low cultural engagement.

The four-year agreement builds on an existing memorandum of understanding between ACE and the Forestry Commission signed in 2012, which led to the Forest Art Works programme.

A source of inspiration

Simon Hodgson, CEO of Forestry Commission England, praised forests as a source of inspiration for artists: “Artists gain insight and inspiration from their interactions with woods and forests and audiences gain new experiences through engagement with art in forest environments.

“Whilst working in partnership with Arts Council England we will continue to seek high-quality, ambitious work that breaks new ground for both artists and audiences.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said: “Arts interventions in the natural world create a fresh dialogue between artists, the environment and our communities. The development of a long term relationship with Forestry Commission England gives us exciting new opportunities to help people experience this, wherever they live in the country.

Partnership working

The memorandum follows a similar agreement made between ACE and DeMontfort University earlier this year, and one with Bristol City Council in 2015.

Henley said: “Our partnerships with non-arts based organisations are vital to help us achieve our goals; we also have strong links with the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust. These kinds of collaborations stretch the boundaries of the work that is produced, reflecting the diverse and rich landscape and society we live in.”

An accompanying strategic plan will be released shortly.