Agreements and accords

Arts Council England Memorandum of Understanding

Art, landscape and people brought together

On 23 September 2022, Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England and Philip Hygate FRSA, Chair of the National Association for AONBs jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing the two organisations to exploring how arts and landscape could work together to better engage audiences.

(c) Ruth Colbridge Two men smile and shake hands

Sir Nicholas Serota and Philip Hygate sign the Memorandum of Understanding

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For years, AONB teams around the country have commissioned or partnered on awe-inspiring art installations and activities.


The Memorandum of Understanding with Arts Council England symbolises a step change in their commitment to partnering with culture organisations to develop high-quality, ambitious art that will reach and move people and communities across England.


Working in partnership under this Memorandum of Understanding means Arts Council England, the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the AONB Network deliver on their own priorities, underpinned by joint ambitions to see more people engaging with culture and landscape, promoting opportunities, prosperity and wellbeing for rural communities, and contributing to conversations around tackling the climate emergency.