Arts project for housebound people in Derbyshire is shortlisted for national award

Derbyshire County Council has been nominated for best arts project in the Hearts For The Arts Awards 2021, run by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA).

The Necklace of Stars initiative, organised by Arts Derbyshire, was selected because of its work increasing wellbeing, reducing loneliness, forging connections and developing creativity.

Participants received one-to-one phone calls with artists ‘arthur + martha’ who guided them through the process of creating embroidered stars or creative writing themed around lullabies.

The embroidery was brought together to create a quilt which will be exhibited alongside the creative writing and lullaby soundtrack in Derbyshire’s cultural venues in 2022.

A spokesman for the NCA said that despite the incredible hardships faced by local authorities in 2020, this year’s awards have received a record-breaking number of nominations, as communities turned to the arts for solace, strength and connectivity during the pandemic.

Discussing Derbyshire’s nomination, Hearts for the Arts Award partners said about Necklace of Stars: “This is an inspirational project that has supported an extremely vulnerable group of individuals, made more vulnerable by Covid-19. It has clearly given participants purpose and focus, helping to reduce loneliness and mental ill health.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of the county council, said: “This has been a very difficult time for everyone, particularly for people who can’t leave their homes.

"The guiding purpose behind this project has been making connections, thereby boosting happiness and tackling loneliness in challenging circumstances – by creating beautiful and meaningful art with people in the same situation.”

Arts industry experts and practitioners will judge the shortlisted entries and the winners announced on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

The shortlist was compiled after judging by representatives of partners in the awards: Culture Counts; Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Local Government Association; National Campaign for the Arts; and Voluntary Arts Wales.