Hearts for the Arts Awards

Of Earth & Sky

North Lincolnshire Council

WINNER

Best Arts Project 2022

Of Earth & Sky

What our judges said:

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Of Earth & Sky demonstrates a real connection with the community. Using trackable QR codes, created for the art trail linking back to the webpage was an excellent idea.

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I like the emphasis on taking art (poetry) physically to areas of low arts engagement, not relying exclusively on consumers coming to the art. Workshops and poetry submissions make up the public engagement part of the art. Making it outdoors with geographical spread increased connections between gallery and the town. Outdoor presentations and online engagement reached audiences in new ways. I liked the determination to combat isolation and the different groups by targeting issues of health, well-being, children, literacy, poverty, older audiences and outdoor life. A moving project.

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I absolutely loved the commitment in this project to reach people who often feel excluded or apathetic when it comes to the arts. Drawing self-expression through poetry during a time when so many felt the most isolated and vulnerable was a vital effort.

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It’s great to see Of Earth and Sky considering how art and poetry can be used to encourage people to get out and about. I’m sure we all became a little fatigued with our daily walking routes over lockdown, so finding a way to revitalise these familiar paths seems to be an excellent concept. I love the fact that the short phrases chosen draw you in and make you want to hear more, again, allowing art to be something that can be encountered accidentally instead of having to be actively sought out. It’s wonderful to see this project fusing modern technology with real, physical components.

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This project really embraced the challenge and will have brought people previously not interested in poetry, or even the arts, together as a community. It is very telling that the footfall into the Gallery was higher in September than pre-pandemic - that shows real long-term reach into people’s lives.

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I love the idea of making the land a poem. In Luton, we had bells in the pavement, and I really remember seeing teenagers jumping up and down on them and laughing. I think this sounds like it’s done similar things - a really special idea, given flight.

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Poetry is an art form many people turn to in crisis, but can feel exclusive to those who think they're ‘outside’ it. Of Earth and Sky celebrates a big birthday by involving local people creatively, making art with them, not just for them. And it does it with words writ large, curated by an important artist, in a way that's easy to see, enjoy and reflect upon. A beautiful idea, beautifully done.

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A really impressive project. I particularly like the way the organisers tried to encourage input from those perhaps unengaged with the arts and poetry by holding roaming sessions and sessions for beginners and those who do not have English as a first language. This project was creatively organised and the hard work paid off with fantastic engagement results, fostering pride in the local community and encouraging people to connect or re-connect with culture. Congratulations on your 20-year anniversary!

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A fantastic and creative way to celebrate 20 years of 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. The ways in which technology was used to support this was incredibly innovative and had the added factor of reaching those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. A massive achievement to host such an admired artist!

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2022 nominees