Grizedale Arts

Grizedale Arts is a contemporary arts residency and commissioning agency in the central Lake District in rural Northern England. It conducts cultural projects locally, nationally and internationally. Its focus under director Adam Sutherland is on emerging artists and increasing public access to the contemporary arts. [ [http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/downloads/page1810/Arts_Strategy_FINAL_inc_cover.pdf An Arts Strategy for South Lakeland] Commissioned by South Lakeland District Council, 2004. (page 31)] Its residency programme is financially supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. [ [http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/Grants2006/2006_ah.html Esmée Fairbairn Foundation] Grants made in 2006]

History

The predecessor of Grizedale Arts, the Grizedale Society was founded in 1968 by the Forestry Commission to further the arts within the Grizedale forest. It initially concentrated on theatre and the visual arts. In 1977 it established the Sculpture Project which was noted for its siting of environmental sculptures by artists including David Nash and Andy Goldsworthy within the Grizedale Forest. [ [http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=7259 Popularising public sculpture in Britain From landscape gardens to forest trails] University of South Africa] These sculptures are now maintained by the Forestry Commission and are accessible to the public. [ [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5k2c4m Details of Grizedale Forest Park] Forestry Commission website ] In 1990 the Society was awarded the Prudential Award for the Arts. [ [http://www.grizedale.org/about/history Grizedale Arts website, history page] ] In 1999 the board closed its theatre (the "Theatre in the Forest") and decided to concentrate on exploring new approaches to artistic production and exhibition.

In 2007 the organisation moved its base from Grizedale Forest to the remote hill farm of Lawson Park, once owned by John Ruskin.

Recent projects

Grizedale Arts' collaborative projects have included:
* [http://www.happystacking.tv/ Happy Stacking] (2008)
* [http://www.agrifashionista.tv/ Agrifashionista] (2008)
* Creative Egremont - A Public Art Strategy for Egremont. [http://www.creative-egremont.org/] (2006-8)
* [http://www.sevensamurai.jp/sevenbox.html "Seven Samurai"] (2006) within the Japanese [http://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/eng/index.html Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial] .
* [http://www.ps1.org/exhibits/exhibit.php?iExhibitID=31 "Romantic Detachment"] (2004) at the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in New York
* [http://www.grizedale.org/lying/ The Festival of Lying] (2000)

Artists

Artists who have been involved with the Grizedale Arts programme include Anna Best, Jordan Baseman, David Blandy, Simon Poulter, Marcus Coates, Karen Guthrie & Nina Pope, Olivia Plender, Lorrice Douglas, Juneau/projects, Kerry Stewart, Emily Wardill, Graeme Roger, Rob Kesseler, Ken Russell, Kevin Reid, Jen Lui, Tim Olden, Simon & Tom Bloor, Matt Stokes, Nathaniel Mellors, Bedwyr Williams, public works, Mark Wallinger, Jeremy Deller, Tim Olden, Olaf Breuning, Mark Gubb, Pablo Bronstein, Bryan & Laura Davies, Spartacus Chetwynd, Harold Offeh, Jay Yung, Guest Room & Barnaby Hosking.

References

cite book
author=editors Bill Grant & Paul Harris
title=The Grizedale Experience: Sculpture, Arts & Theatre in a Lakeland Forest
publisher=Canongate Press
location=Edinburgh
year=1991
pages=
isbn=0-86241-354-0
oclc=
doi=

External links

* [http://www.grizedale.org Grizedale Arts Official site]
* [http://www.lawsonpark.org Lawson Park, Grizedale Arts' hill farm]
* [http://weareseven.blogspot.com/2006/07/extract-from-interview-i-conducted.html We Are Seven: Artist Commune Project]

Artist links

* [http://www.jordanbaseman.com Jordan Baseman]
* [http://www.somewhere.org.uk Somewhere - Karen Guthrie & Nina Pope]
* [http://www.olafbreuning.com Olaf Breuning]