NATIONAL PARK ACTION FUND Office use only Small Grants Application Form PF 12-13 To be used by applicants seeking less than £20,000

It is recommended that this form should only be completed on the advice of staff within National Park Authority’s Sustainability and Economy team. Please use the ‘Guidance Notes for applicants – completing and submitting a small grants application’ when completing this form. Should you require further advice please contact the Sustainable Economy Officer on 01398 322234.

A – PROJECT SUMMARY

Project title Dark Starry Skies Brief project aim - Engage 1000+ residents and visitors on Exmoor in artist-led workshops and what do you hope community events that raise awareness of ENPA’s International Dark Sky your project will Reserve status and create a range of art works and resources that can be achieve? used to promote the designation to a wider audience. Project location Across Exmoor and neighbouring areas of West Project duration From: December 2013 To: December 2014

B – YOUR DETAILS

B1 – Contact details Name of Applicant Tracey Roberts (ARTlife Coordinator) Name of West Somerset Arts Consortium (ARTlife) Organisation Contact Address C/o West Somerset Council. Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA

Phone no. 01984 635300 or 01643 822124 Email [email protected] Website www.facebook.com/ARTlifeSomerset www.artlife-somerset.co.uk

B2 - Type of Voluntary organisation or community group applicant (please Registered charity (Please provide charity no.) 1081924 mark all boxes that Private company apply) Public Sector Private individual Other (please specify below) B3 - Please briefly We devise, deliver and promote accessible arts and cultural activity across describe the aims Somerset, focusing on West Somerset. We run the local authority arts of your service on behalf of West Somerset Council; have recently completed a organisation (N/A for project with partners along the Somerset Coastal strip; and are delivering a Landscape Art project along the Coleridge Way and around Hinkley Point. individual applicants):

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C – PROJECT DETAILS

C1 - Please describe your project, why it is necessary and how you will achieve the aims & objectives. You should also detail how your project will meet the essential and desirable criteria of the fund as detailed in the guidance notes for applicants. You can attach further information such as plans or drawings to this form if needed.

Overview An inclusive community arts project that reflects and promotes Exmoor’s status as Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve. The project will, via a range of workshops, activities and commissioned artwork, investigate and celebrate our relationship with the night sky through the seasons. People of all cultures, beliefs, ages and eras have had a significant connection with our dark starry skies. In an age of increasing light pollution, areas like the moorland of Exmoor become important focal points in which to cherish the restorative tranquillity, and to learn about and celebrate this profoundly beautiful aspect of nature. The project is focused around our native storytelling tradition of local and national mythologies relating to the night sky, as well as drawing on the wealth of stories from other International Dark Sky Reserves: Mon Megantic in Quebec, Canada; Aoraki Mackenzie Maori, New Zealand; and Naumbrand Nature Reserve, Namibia.

Why we want to do the project Achieving the Dark Sky Reserve status was a huge success for Exmoor National Park. This success can be built on and enhanced if more people (both locals and visitors) are given the chance to understand the designation at a community and a personal level. . What does living in (or close to) a Dark Sky Reserve mean for communities? . How can individuals connect to the landscape of the night sky in a meaningful and safe way? . How does twenty-first century, twenty-four hour living relate to conserving the darkness of the night sky, especially in a tourist area? . How do we fit into the legacy of poets, painters, astronomers and philosophers who have interpreted the night sky of Exmoor over the centuries? . What do we want to pass on to future generations in terms of understanding and valuing the nighttime skyscape of the moor?

The arts are a very direct and accessible way to engage people in thinking about their locality. The more people understand what is special about a place, the more connected they feel to it, and the greater advocates they become for telling others. This project will engage with 1000+ people who will share ideas, create and exhibit together on the theme of the Dark Sky Reserve status. We hope their art works will educate and inspire others, especially visitors, to come to Exmoor and experience the unique qualities of its night sky for themselves. Spreading the word about the designation will potentially assist both the National Park Authority and individual tourism businesses in attracting more Dark Sky visitors.

The proposed work aims to directly contribute to some of the actions in ENPA’s Partnership Plan 2012-2017: Actions A1.12 (delivering dark skies events on Exmoor), A4.10 (promoting Exmoor’s culture and arts), B1.8 (supporting events on Exmoor) B1.13 (marketing Exmoor through its dark skies) and B3.6 (focusing on schools and communities in and near to the national park).

We have already held a Pilot event for Somerset Art Weeks, 21st-29th September 2013, to test the project idea, which attracted 920 visitors (aged 5 to 95): 9 days of exhibiting/activity that celebrated our Dark Starry Skies and captured the public’s responses, thoughts and memories in connection with the night sky and Exmoor's Dark Sky Reserve status. The work included a film by the lead artist which responds to Coleridge’s within the setting of night-time and dreaming, and a pop-up cafe with Dark Starry Sky stories and activities. There was an illustrated talk, "The Sublime and the Beautiful - Art, Literature and Landscape, Romanticism and its influences”, attended by 23 people. Artwork by members of the local community included starry night themed textiles, print and floral arrangements. Public response to the pilot exhibition will inform the delivery of the main project. See selection of visitors’ comments attached. To view the 8 minute Kubla Khan film made by Frances Harrison go to - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeC69DYjx6o

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Our project aims . To increase awareness and understanding of Exmoor’s Dark Sky Reserve status amongst local communities (on and around the moor) and with visitors . To deliver professionally-run, high quality arts workshops and events that give people creative space to explore and interpret their relationship to the night sky in a safe and accessible way . To share the outputs of the workshops widely as a means to assist ENPA and tourism businesses in spreading the word about the designation . To celebrate the legacy of the Romantic poets and artists and the wider cultural heritage of Exmoor and the links to conservation and appreciation of the moorland . To promote the work alongside ARTlife’s Landscape Art programme creating new art works along the Coleridge Way, adding value to both projects

Project objectives . To run 32 school and community workshops . To run 3 pop up storytelling cafes on and around Exmoor . To tour elements of the pilot event to other communities, alongside the pop up cafes – includes original stories, artworks, Kubla Khan film, Wordwall, talk on Romanticism and community textile pieces . To create a documentary film of participants’ interviews, stories and artists’ reflections . To offer this film as useful marketing material for the Dark Skies designation, for the tourism sector to use

How we will achieve our aims and objectives We will run a year of activity with storytellers, artists and astronomers, engaging groups and individuals (locals and visitors, of all ages) to experience and re-kindle feelings of awe, mystery and wonder when encountering the moorland landscape of Exmoor and its dark starry skies through the four seasons.

A target of 1000+ participants will engage in storytelling sessions, guided story walks, contribute to a community film and join in storytelling pop-up cafes and educational talks, where they will share memories, observations and ideas and develop creative responses. This live/direct audience for the work does not include the potentially huge online audience viewing the film via YouTube and via ARTlife’s Coleridge Way projects blog. Filming will happen alongside and sometimes as part of the storytelling activities and be a joint creation of the project participants and the lead artist/filmmaker Frances Harrison.

The project will link with ARTlife’s work with the Coleridge Way and will use as a framework the poetry of Coleridge and the philosophy of the Romantic movement with its focus on the Sublime in nature and the importance of a moral, mindful and respectful relationship with nature in all its manifestations.

The work responds to rising interest in astronomy amongst local communities and especially visitors, and will encourage participants/audiences to value, protect and celebrate the nighttime landscape. The outcomes of the project (e.g. broadcasting the film on YouTube) will be shared widely, helping to promote Exmoor and contributing to the long term economic potential of its Dark Sky Reserve status. Made, printed, filmed and online artworks/archives will serve as physical legacies of the project. Awareness raising, education and inspiring creativity amongst participants will be the qualitative outcomes.

How the project specifically meets the Fund Criteria - Project outputs and outcomes Economic: 1. 58 days work for West Somerset-based artists 2. 1 new film focusing on the designation that can be used by ENPA, Visit Exmoor and tourism businesses (linking via YouTube) 3. Touring the pilot exhibition elements – storytelling café, Kubla Khan film, Wonderwall, talk on Romanticism, community textile pieces – to raise awareness of the designation 4. Helps the tourism sector promote Dark Sky designation to existing and potential customers by providing this new material 5. Raises awareness generally, which could result in more individuals/organisations utilising the designation 6. Online/global promotion opportunities (via redesign of coleridgeway.co.uk through Cool Tourism project) - 3 -

Community: 1. 26 school and community workshops delivered by professional artists, engaging with 400+ participants 2. Community contributions and engagement in a film to document the project and create an archive of dark skies stories and reflections 3. 3 open access storytelling cafes to engage local people and visitors in raising awareness of the Dark Sky designation 4. Unique opportunities for local people and visitors to explore their relationship to the night sky, the landscapes of Exmoor and their cultural heritage, in creative and accessible learning situations

The individual project elements are:

Direct experience of the night sky – story-telling and -sharing, leading to discussion and creative activity – during guided night walks and possibly using residential spaces on Exmoor – supported by David Rolls, ENPA. 5 x targeted groups reflecting diversity of the local community and those who visit Exmoor, each receiving 2 sessions (morning, afternoon or evening). Total 10 sessions Groups signed up – Exeter Forest School, U3A, Exmoor Stargazers Potential groups – Scouts, Guides, Dulverton Youth Project, Calvert Trust, groups using Pinkery Centre, plus visitors/general public (night walk with ENPA Rangers), local artists. Estimate 120+ participants When: coincide with key seasonal and astronomical events (summertime meteor showers; dark winter evenings; longest and shortest days) Where: Wimbleball Lake; Dark Sky Reserve map viewing points; willow dome at Brompton Regis

Reflecting on our relationship to the night sky – story-telling sessions at the group’s venue. 6 x targeted community groups, those who are not so easily able to access the night walks or outdoor activities (so we bring the activity to them). 1 session each. Total 6 sessions Groups signed up - Hanover Court Residential Home, Visitor Centre/Library, Exmoor Visitor Centre Dulverton Potential groups – Dulverton Fellowship, Calvert Trust, nursery/pre-school. Estimate 120+ participants When: coincide with seasonal celebrations (local and international) e.g. summer and winter solstices; the equinoxes; Diwali (autumn festival of light).

5 x school groups - storytelling sessions in school, inspiring creative activity immediately afterwards and through follow-up work by teachers. 2 sessions per school (storyteller could work with up to three classes per session, covering more pupils; or work intensively with selected pupils). Will offer WSCC 4 sessions, based on working with art/drama students and science students. Total 10 sessions Potential groups - West Somerset Community College (via artist in residence Gary Cedeira), Dulverton Middle School, Dulverton First School, + one other Exmoor First School or neighbouring area school, Sure Start Centre or nursery group. Estimate 200 participants When: throughout the school year.

Dark Starry Skies Pop-up Storytelling Cafes: A specially designed starry night themed temporary space with stellar quotes, poetry and imagery and starry refreshments. People can sit at tables and listen to live stories of our constellations, take part in storytelling activities, share ideas and memories and help to create a Wonder Wall of star inspired words. Will include touring the artist and community- made artworks from the pilot exhibition (Frances Harrison’s Kubla Khan film, her original dark starry sky stories, text banners and donated stories/anecdotes, film stills, and community textile pieces). Estimate audience: 400+ When: 3 pop up café days spread over the lifetime of the project, including launch café at Dulverton by Starlight (8 December 2103); plus possibly Pavilion (currently in conversation with Louise Reynolds, ENPA) and Porlock Visitor Centre/Library (currently in conversation with Denise Sage, VC Manager)

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Illustrated Talk on Romanticism: touring Frances Harrison’s entertaining and educational talk to new audiences of both artists and interested members of the public, e.g. promoting to U3A, adult learning classes, schools, colleges, history societies, astronomy clubs, environmental groups. Estimate audience: 50+ When: 2 talks given throughout lifetime of project – e.g. in partnership with Contains Art in (new gallery space and artists’ collective); as part of 10 Parishes Festival or Somerset Art Weeks; at Coleridge Cottage; at Lynmouth Pavilion; Exeter Museum; or linked to the pop-up cafes.

Dark Starry Skies Film: The Dark Starry Skies film will creatively document the memories, experiences and ideas of diverse project participants as they engage directly or indirectly with our night sky. The film will span most of the project and would have its first screening at a special event at the end of the project. The film, with a specially commissioned soundtrack, will be a memory archive and a resource available to watch on YouTube as well as a DVD and would serve to record and enhance our landscape and dark sky heritage and have meaning and relevance for many people including but also far beyond the participants and their contacts and communities. It would be available via YouTube to the tourism sector, to use to promote the dark skies of Exmoor as a reason to visit. Residents and visitors of all ages and cultures will be able to connect with and learn from a film that investigates and celebrates the night sky. Estimate 100+ participants from the storytelling workshops/walks, pop-up cafes, and individual interviews. Audience/venues for accessing the film: the wider Exmoor community, Exmoor National Park, other National Parks, Conservation Groups, Astronomy groups, libraries, Visitor Centres, U3A, schools, Forest Schools, tourism attractions/venues and B&Bs, and Visit Exmoor. Plus potential to ‘export’ it to other International Dark Sky Reserves. Estimate audience: 200+ at the first screening as part of closing event; plus ongoing online access

Dark Starry Skies Closing Event: to celebrate and exhibit all the outcomes of the project and launch the film as the legacy of the project, being both a community archive and an educational and tourism resource. Estimate audience: 200+ When: to be decided, but could tie in with ENPA’s 60th anniversary activities.

C2 - Please explain how your project will further one, or both, of the statutory National Park Purposes:  To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park  To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public Conservation and enhancement of Exmoor's natural beauty and cultural heritage will be furthered because residents and visitors will be able to connect in new ways with Exmoor and its Dark Skies, and the heritage of the Romantic Poets. Participants and audiences will experience night-time skies, landscape and mythology, folklore and new stories and artworks and interactive sessions, and archive material that will cultivate a shared understanding of and respect for the nature and beauty of our landscape and history.

These opportunities will help to kindle a sense of awe, mystery and wonder in our environment and the special qualities of Exmoor as a Dark Sky Reserve, both during and after the project. The project outputs will help disseminate this message further afield, to potential new visitors.

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C3 - Please detail the role of any other partners / organisations participating in your project and how you will encourage community involvement. The Exmoor Stargazers are advising us and will take part in community workshops. David Rolls (ENPA) has offered help with the community walks/workshops. The pilot event in Dulverton church for Somerset Art Weeks (21st-29th Sept 2013) had 6 local volunteers making artworks and embroidery panels and running the storytelling café, and they intend to continue their involvement. The local U3A jointly promoted the Romantics talk. Somerset Film has provided 30 hours of filmmaking training/expertise to the lead artist and has a commitment to continue supporting the main project.

We will utilise and build on this existing team of collaborators to reach as diverse a range of participants as possible. We already have expressions of interest to participate from – Hanover Court Residential Home in Dulverton, Exmoor Visitor Centre Dulverton, the U3A, Exmoor Rangers Moorland Partnership Education, West Somerset Community College artist-in-residence, and Exeter Forest School. We also hope to work with Dulverton Fellowship (mental health support group), Dulverton first and middle schools and other schools on and around Exmoor. Porlock and Watchet community contacts are also being explored.

Publicity across the area at the beginning of the project (from posters to social media) will invite members of the public to engage in open workshops/events; and the Starlight Storytelling Café will be included in Dulverton by Starlight publicity.

D - SUSTAINABILITY CONTRIBUTION For each strand of sustainability (environment, community and economy) please tick the areas that your project will contribute to.

D1 - Environmental criteria Directly conserves and enhances Directly reduces air, land, water, noise wildlife and biodiversity or light pollution Helps to safeguard protected species Uses traditional or local materials

Uses the hierarchy of reduce, reuse, Protects distinctive landscape features repair and recycle (including historic environment) Reduces carbon dioxide emissions Contributes towards the efficient use / management of water resources Conserves and enhances natural Any other appropriate environmental carbon stores (e.g. woodland, soils, peat) sustainability factor (Specify below) We will encourage participants to think about how they can reduce light X pollution from their own homes, venues, etc

D2 - Social / community criteria Promotes cultural heritage Encourages healthy lifestyles And draws comparisons with the X cultures of the other Dark Sky Reserves around the world Improves the well being of local Works in partnership with community communities X based groups X Encourages visitors to make Offers new opportunities to learn sustainable (low impact) choices about Exmoor X during their stay

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Promotes equality, social inclusion Offers new opportunities for voluntary and access for all X participation X Encourages the use of public Any other appropriate social / transport, cycling, riding, and walking X community sustainability factor (Specify below)

D3 - Economic criteria Provides training opportunities Uses, or encourages the use of, 10 days training and support being X sustainable transport given to the lead artist by Somerset Film to further develop her skills Generates or safeguards employment Adds value to local, sustainably 58 days of self employment for two X harvested / gathered materials and / artists who live in West Somerset – or produce Frances Harrison (lead artist), Jenny Mash (first/middle school qualified teacher and visual artist) Generates own income to support the Supports rural diversification project x Uses, and encourages use of, local Promotes green business practice as goods and services, keeping money X a way of adding value within the local area – Two West Somerset-based artists will deliver the project Supports and builds a low carbon Any other appropriate economic economy sustainability factor (Specify below) Supports ‘Dark Sky’ tourism and gives X the sector and the National Park Authority useful promotional materials (film, images, stories, etc)

E – PROJECT COSTS & FUNDING Please refer to the guidance notes for a detailed explanation of the information required under the different headings.

E1 – Are you VAT If you are VAT registered we will pay any claim net VAT and your Yes No costs below should not include VAT. If you are not VAT registered and registered? x unable to claim VAT back please include VAT in the costs below.

E2 – Project Costs Please provide costs for all elements of the project. Breakdown of costs Total Value Value of in-kind Balance List project elements here (cost) support / time required

(n.b. do not include cash (A-B=C) Please see full itemised budget contributions here) 16x community storytelling sessions £2000 £ £2000 10x schools storytelling sessions £1250 £ £1250 Lead artist workshop preparation time £1000 £ £1000 Pop-up storytelling cafes, & talks £2040 £150 £1890 Documentary film £7200 £3200 £4000 Closing event/film screening £750 £ £750 Project management (60 hrs) £900 £900 £0 Publicity/documentation £200 £ £200

TOTALS (A) £15,340 (B) £4,250 (C) £11,090

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E3 – Project Income Please detail here actual financial contributions from your own reserves, other funders or estimated project income that will help meet the balance of funding required (C). Do not include in-kind contributions included above. Match Funding Source Amount Status (name of provider / grant fund) (e.g. secured, awaiting decision, to be applied for etc) West Somerset Council £1,000 Already received Donations for refreshments at pop up cafes £60 Projected donations Illustrated talk ticket sales £150 Projected ticket sales TOTAL OTHER FUNDING SOUGHT (D) £1,210

E4 – What level of funding are you seeking from the Exmoor National Park Action Fund? Total value of contribution sought from the (E) £9,880 National Park Action Fund (C – D) Percentage contribution requested against total 64% project costs (E ÷ A x 100)

DECLARATION

I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the information provided within this application form is true and correct and I am authorised to submit it for consideration for grant funding. I understand this form will be placed in the public domain as part of a transparent decision making process.

Signed Tracey Roberts Date 16.10.13

Once completed please send this form and necessary supporting documentation to: Sustainable Economy Officer, Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HL. Or email to [email protected]

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DARK STARRY SKIES (ARTlife)

EXPENDITURE cash (A) inkind (B) 16 x half-day community storytelling sessions Artist fees x 16 @ £125 2000

10 x half-day schools storytelling sessions Artist fees x 10 @ £125 1250

Lead Artist preparation & setting up workshops x 10 days @ £100 per day 1000

3 x 1-day Dark Starry Skies Pop up Storytelling cafes Artist's preparation x 3 @ £200 600 Artist's workshop fee x 3 @ £250 750 venue hire 150 150 materials/equip hire/activity sheets 120 refreshments 45 posters/flyers 75

Illustrated Talk x 2 (linked to cafes or other events) speaker's fee 250 equipment hire 50

Dark Starry Skies Film Artist's fee x 26 days @ £200 5200 1200 10 days training from Somerset Film 2000 2000

Dark Starry Skies Closing Event Prep & workshop fee x 2 @ £250 500 venue hire 50 materials/equipment hire/etc 150 refreshments 50

Project management (60 hrs of ARTlife Coordinator time) 900 900

Community workshops marketing/publicity 100 Documentation/evaluation 100

balance (A-B) TOTAL 15340 4250 11090 cash INCOME donations for refreshments at pop up cafes 60 illustrated talk ticket sales 150 West Somerset Council (already received by ARTlife) 1000 1210

Funding requested 9880 64% PF 12-13 Partnership Fund Project Appraisal Form Please see project application for full details.

Project title: Dark Starry Skies (ARTlife – West Somerset Arts Consortium) Brief project To engage 1000+ Exmoor residents and visitors to Exmoor with Exmoor National Park’s overview Dark Sky Reserve status through running artists‐led workshops and community events: raising awareness of Exmoor as a Dark Sky reserve and creating with the participants a range of artworks and resources that can further promote it to wider audiences. Summary of outputs  26 school and community workshops;  3 pop‐up storytelling cafes;  1 new community film promoting Dark Skies;  1 exhibition tour;  1 archive of Dark Skies stories & reflections; Total project value £11090 Source(s) of match funding: Grant sought £9880 West Somerset Council £1000 (secured); anticipated donations for Intervention rate 64% refreshments £60; anticipated Illustrated Talk ticket sales £150 – Total: £1,210

Essential Criteria H / M / L Notes At least one of the two purposes to be met

NP purpose 1: To conserve and enhance L‐M No direct intervention, but the project has the potential the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural to raise understanding leading to people valuing, and therefore caring more for the natural and cultural heritage heritage.

NP purpose 2: To promote opportunities H The project will provide direct opportunities for for the understanding and enjoyment of individuals and communities from a range of backgrounds to increase their understanding and the special qualities interpretation of a specific aspect of Exmoor National Park’s special qualities – its Dark Skies.

Contribution to National Park Partnership H Impacts directly against Priorities A1‐2 and A3 by Plan priorities, activities and actions engaging people with Exmoor’s special character, delivering Dark skies events, promoting Exmoor culture and arts; Priority B1 & B3 promoting and marketing Dark Sky Reserve as a destination and informing and inspiring people to engage with it (schools and communities).

Community involvement / support H The proposal builds on a pilot event in Somerset Art Week, Sept 2013, which attracted 920 visitors and received positive feedback which has informed the project.

Desirable Criteria H / M / L Notes

Economic and community benefits M The project has the potential to impact on the local economy by helping promote Exmoor as a Dark Skies destination; local communities will participate directly in the project and inform how the Dark Sky Reserve is promoted. The project is led by local artists and all activities resourced and delivered within the local economy.

Other funds sought / little access to other L‐M £1000 secured through West Somerset Council and funding £210 anticipated through contributions. Being a locally specific project there a few other funds likely to be open to the applicant.

Benefits beyond the initial funding period M‐H The project will create resources and media attention in support of the wider promotion of Exmoor’s Dark skies as a tourism opportunity. It will also provide a focus for local engagement and celebration of the Dark Skies Reserve status.

Innovation or the use of best practice H Community art is a recognised approach to involving and inspiring people with local issues. The project provides a good range of different opportunities for people to participate and contribute based on proven methods of success.

Opportunities for others to learn from the M The applicant has committed to sharing outputs and project outcomes to assist ENPA and the tourism sector as an aid to the future promotion of the Dark Sky Reserve.

Sustainability evaluation H / M / L Notes

Environmental sustainability L No direct contribution but may contribute indirectly to raise awareness of light pollution issues – which in turn may help reduce energy consumption in the longer term.

Social / community sustainability M‐H Good opportunities for inspiring local community interest in the Dark Sky Reserve and increasing interest and participation in its promotion and sustainability.

Economic sustainability M The project will use local goods and services and has the potential to impact on the visitor economy by attracting attention to Exmoor’s Dark Sky status and creating resources to increase visitor interaction.

Background information and Officer comments

Exmoor National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011; the first place in Europe to achieve this prestigious award and at the time, only the second in the world. Dark Skies discovery sites have been established by Exmoor National Park Authority along with occasional events and the hiring of telescopes from National Park Centres.

This project represents the first major attempt to address community engagement with the Dark Sky Reserve Status and to work with communities to develop a response to the designation that both helps people understand what it means and to create resources to promote its tourism potential.

The application has been submitted by ArtLife who have a good track record of delivering impactful arts programmes in Somerset and have run the local authority arts services on behalf of West Somerset Council since it was devolved in 2000.

The proposed project would work across Exmoor and would deliver community events in partnership with Exmoor Stargazers, and in collaboration with Authority staff and projects (including The Heart of Exmoor) to reach a wide audience.

The project aims to work directly with over 1000 participants. A pilot version attracted 920 visitors in 9 days. The target will be realised through community and school sessions and pop‐up events. Discussions with the applicant have confirmed that groups are already signed‐up for activities and that others are keen to sign‐up once a decision on the project has been made.

Tiverton Astronomy Society has been added as a potential partner since the application submission, following an evening of storytelling and astronomy at Wimbleball Lake, which attracted approximately 50 people. This will help widen the astronomical input; recent events have shown that the interaction between stories and scientific explanations engage people and this is an area that could be developed within the project.

In addition, project development discussions with David Rolls (Heart of Exmoor), the Lynmouth Pavilion Heritage project and ENPA staff and visitors centres have identified groups and community venues that the project will work with once a decisions is known. Good connections with Lynmouth Pavilion have already been established and the Pavilion is hosting an exhibition showing some of the Dark Starry Skies work produced by Frances Harrison and the community for the pilot event that ran during Somerset Art Weeks.

One small concern raised with the applicant was what would happen if more groups wanted to be involved than the target number, and how this would be managed. It is suggested that some contingency needs to be planned into the project to allow for a higher level of interest than anticipated, or at least some priority given to the most beneficial audiences. This could involve inviting more than one group to take part in workshops.

Equally, it was felt that potential groups should include the likes of Ilfracombe College and West Exmoor Federation of Primary Schools, and others to ensure fair representation and participation across Exmoor to include Exmoor’s communities. This is likely to be achieved through the use of Lynmouth Pavilion as a venue for events, talks and the hosting of material generated through the project. The Pavilion also offers itself as a viable venue to consider for the proposed Closing Event and the applicant is open to discussions with ENPA to develop this aspect of the project.

The suggested tie‐in of the project to the 60th anniversary of the designation of Exmoor as a National Park is welcome and the project could help galvanise activity around this event.

In terms of project costs, the budget is very cost‐effective, £15 per person for 1000 participants, and appears to offer good value for money. It will be important to ensure the sustainability both of the outcomes of the project in respect of public engagement and tourism potential and clear actions will need to be agreed as part of delivery.

Equally, agreement will need to be reached on the future use, management and access for project outputs: the memory archive, film, artworks, printed and promotional material. ARTlife gives intellectual rights over the artworks to creating artists and allows ARTlife full use of these artworks/materials.

The applicant has indicated that all materials made and especially the film will be both a community archive of stories, reminiscences and images, and a promotional tool to market the Dark Skies of Exmoor and will look for somewhere (a partner organisation or venue) to help host this archive beyond the end of the project ‐ e.g. somewhere like Lynmouth Pavilion or Dulverton Heritage Centre, or another library or museum perhaps. It would be sensible to highlight this as a project issue to ensure agreement through partner organisations prior to project completion.

The film is to be made available to Visit Exmoor, Visit Somerset, ENPA, and to individual B&Bs and other interested parties and hosted on YouTube for general accessibility.

In respect of Partnership Fund priorities the project contributes directly to specific actions A1.12; A4.10; B1.8 and B1.13 and generally impacts on priorities A1‐3, B1 and B3.

The partnership with other aspects of Exmoor tourism: Coleridge Way and Cool Tourism offer good benefits for enhancing the impact of the work and sustaining that impact with residents and visitors. It would be useful for the project to liaise with the Lyn Community Development Trust regarding the proposed Coleridge way extension (PF13‐17) and with the previously funded Exmoor at Night project (PF13‐05).

The project is considered as a potential first phase in a possible long‐running programme of joint astronomical‐ artistic endeavour, followed by ongoing editing, refining and touring of the material that can continue to grow through public participation.

Recommendation Approve £9,880 (Up to a maximum of 64% of total project value) Draft conditions  Confirm and evidence in writing match‐funding  Liaise with ENPA over publicity and press releases and to confirm venues & groups, including the Closing Event  Agree contingency for increased participation levels  Work with ENPA during the project to agree management and access to resources / materials created through the project  Include ENPA Partnership Fund logo and ‘with support from Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund’ in all publicity.