National Trust is calling for artists, architects, designers and landscape designers to put themselves forward for an arts project at one of its properties, Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.
The project, entitled Playful Incidents, is part of National Trust's Trust New Art programme, and its intention is to entice local people to come and enjoy the parkland, veteran trees, and river wildlife that surrounds the house.
Artists, architects, designers and landscape designers from across the UK are asked to come up ideas for a novel 'incident' (Kedleston Hall's architect, Robert Adam, used the word to mean an intervention or point of interest in the landscape) that will encourage visitors to use the gardens, rather than just visiting the neoclassical mansion.
'We are not looking for a play area, but a work of art, a space or experience, which encourages or engenders a sense of playfulness, adventure, the unexpected, or the interactive,' says National Trust's contemporary art development officer Kate Stoddart.
Three ideas will be shortlisted, and a fee will be given to work up a detailed proposal, for completion in July or August next year. A selection panel including national trust's contemporary arts programme manager Tom Freshwater, will then select an overall winner.
Trust New Art is a three-year contemporary art and craft programme taking place at selected historic houses, countryside and garden properties across England. It aims to connect more people to National Trust places through contemporary art and craft. It is supported by a partnership between National Trust and Arts Council England to build links between the National Trust and the contemporary arts and craft sector. Visit the website to enter.
