The National Landscapes Association has hired its first Arts Development Manager, to lead a major new £2m National Arts Programme, Nature Calling, which will get underway this Summer.

Kerenza McClarnan has worked on large-scale projects for Channel 4, Liverpool Biennial and Manchester International Festival. She has spent much of her career working within socially engaged practice; developing projects in collaboration with artists and communities often in outdoor or site-specific locations.

Nature Calling, funded by National Landscapes, Arts Council England and the Department for Environment Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will inspire and connect new and existing communities with National Landscapes in England. The project will increase people’s access to nature, improve their wellbeing and inspire a sense of belonging for these special places.

Nature Calling is a partnership project between the National Landscapes Association, Activate Performing Arts, Poetry School and 6 National Landscapes art hubs across England. It will bring together the 34 National Landscapes in England, local arts organisations and community groups to co-create artworks inspired by their local National Landscape. This will then be shared with the public in a season of art from May - October 2025. Approximately 70,000 people will take part.

Kerenza McClarnan, Arts Development Programme Manager for the National Landscapes Association said:

“This is such an exciting role and I’m delighted to be leading such an important art project for people and for nature. I’m passionate about inclusion and we need everyone to have an experience with art and nature, whether it’s on the macro or the micro, regardless of who they are or where they are.

“High quality art experiences are perfect opportunities to support people's health and wellbeing. We also know that if people feel more connected to nature, then they’re also more likely to take care of it, which is vital if we are to address the current nature and climate crisis.”

John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to announce our new hire. Kerenza brings with her many years of experience of producing high quality contemporary arts projects. She has delivered outdoor arts projects and has a keen professional and personal commitment to connecting people, art and nature.”

Kate Wood, Artistic and Executive Director, Activate Performing Arts said:

"Activate is delighted to be working with Kerenza on Nature Calling. She brings exactly the right expertise and passion for what we want to achieve, and it has been a real pleasure to work with her in this first phase of the project."

National Landscapes are the UK’s nearby countryside. 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape, over 1 million people live within them and at least 170 million people visit every year. Nature Calling aims to encourage even more communities to feel welcome to enjoy these special places on their own terms.