Activities range from Visual Art, Films, Festivals and even a talking bench! They not only give local artists the opportunity to display their work but also focus on training people in new technology and the older rural skills such as coppicing and building with straw bales.
Young and old have been encouraged to become involved and the projects have provided local people with the occasion to tell others how they feel about living and working in rural areas. Short films have been made to portray these views.
Many of the films have been written and produced by young people. This has given them the opportunity to learn about all aspects of film making, IT and to be involved in the decision making.
The 'Vanland' project based in Teignbridge is an exciting example of this. In the first year of a three year project some of the money was used to purchase and equip a second-hand caravan, which has been taken to several local events. At these events the young people's films have been shown, and they have also produced a CD of all their films for wider distribution. More information is available on their website as below.
In several projects artwork has been used to improve the local landscape. 'Art in the Landscape' based in North West Devon has set up three very different types of artwork as follows:
- an 'interactive sound bench' on Westward Ho!, which when sat on plays stories recorded by local residents
- viewing areas for locals to experience the Velator Wetlands and
- the ability to explore the issues surrounding a local cycleway in Braunton using light, language and poetry
Festivals have proved another effective way for communities to celebrate their local history. One such festival was the 'Cecil Sharpe Centenary' held in the Somerset Levels and Moors. This was a celebration of the folk song collector, who over his lifetime collected over 4,900 folk songs from across England and the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Again a CD was produced of the festival.
These are just a few examples of the Arts and Crafts' projects being funded under LEADER+. For more information on these and other projects please contact the LEADER+ secretariat.
