Danby Beacon shone brightly on Thursday 24 October, having been lit to symbolise the launch of a new partnership that aims to increase the quantity and quality of diverse, innovative and inclusive arts and culture in the North York Moors.
The partnership involves more than 20 creative organisations coming together to amplify and build upon the existing arts and culture landscape of the National Park. This collaborative effort will not only enrich the local cultural scene but also attract new visitors to experience and participate in the arts amidst the stunning natural backdrops.
Sally Ann Smith, Head of Arts and Culture at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“The North York Moors is the first National Park to introduce an Arts and Culture Strategy that harnesses our natural landscapes, art, and creativity to promote public health and wellbeing.
“We believe everyone in and around the North York Moors should have access to a rich and varied artistic landscape. We will work with the partnership to ensure the sector continues to grow and flourish in our region, and most importantly will allow the North York Moors to be seen as a beacon for the arts.”
This new initiative promises to fuel creativity, linking the arts with the natural environment and enhancing community wellbeing. It will seek to provide creative residencies for under-represented groups and commissions for early to mid-career artists. In partnership with the Local Cultural Education Partnership (Forge), it also aims to engage greater numbers of young people, supporting their artistic development.
Jamie Walton, founder and artistic director of the renowned North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, said:
“The North York Moors have inspired artists for centuries, and this initiative offers the perfect opportunity to build on that legacy, celebrating our incredible landscape through the arts, and the diverse talents that capture its essence. It is time for the arts to be more prominently recognised as part of the nation's identity, and this new strategy will set a high standard for appreciating their benefits. It will also inspire others, we hope, to prioritise an industry that has perhaps been overlooked in more recent years. Ultimately, everyone stands to benefit from what is shared, and we look forward to celebrating its enormous potential.”
The launch coincides with the installation of two new trails, soon to be open at Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centres.
At Danby Lodge, a mosaic trail entitled The Moment, asks visitors to slow down and be present in the landscape. The designs have been created to echo the artist, Aphra O’Connor’s, own journey through the site and the locations where she paused to reflect upon what she saw. At Sutton Bank, ‘Words in the Landscape’ explores the local environment from the perspective of our region’s birds. Created by Scarborough-based artist Adrian Riley, the trail will bring together poetry, illusion and design in a celebration of bird song and bird life.
The trails form part of the National Park’s ‘See Moor’ project, which successfully secured £205,000 funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fun (administered by North Yorkshire Council) and included the new playground at Danby Lodge.
Looking ahead to spring 2025, a new three-week Arts Festival will feature events at both National Park Centres and locations around the North York Moors. Plus, look forward to the North York Moors’ first kite festival, including workshops and demonstrations.
For more information, please visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/beaconforthearts. Artists and those with a strong interest in art are also encouraged to visit North Yorkshire Open Studios at nyos.org.uk
ENDS
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 8.4 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families.
To view other press releases and for further information about the North York Moors National Park, visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk