DELIVERING ART INTO A RURAL COMMUNITY

At Green Hill Arts, we support and celebrate creativity across Dartmoor.  Our mission is to nurture local talent, build skills, and create opportunities for people of all ages to engage with the arts. Creativity thrives when people have access to learning, collaboration, and community.  

PAST TRACK RECORD 

 Green Hill Arts has been home to a dazzling array of exceptional exhibitions, workshops and community projects for over 14 years. 

INSPIRING OUR COMMUNITY, 2016 

Arts Council Funding (ACE) gave us the opportunity to deliver, Inspiring our Community, in 2016. Within this project we offered ArtRaft, an arts activity providing creative and cognitive stimulation for the wellbeing of elderly people, in partnership with Moretonhampstead Health Centre. ArtRaft has continued to today having provided support to the community for many years. 

THE DARTMOOR VISION, 2018 

In 2018 we received additional ACE funding for the Dartmoor Vision. In this project we worked to engage the local residents in a creative process of place-making and re-imagining of Dartmoor and Moretonhampstead to develop a deeper sense of ownership and belonging. 

 A NEW DARTMOOR VISION, 2020  

This project was conceived during the first Lockdown of the Covid 19 pan-epidemic as a response to the destruction of our community’s way of life and the isolation and depression that issued. We adapted our model of engagement with people and used art to bring new life to our community. Gladys Paulus’ Hinterland Exhibition had to close due to Lockdown. However, the exhibition was reopened with a documentary film made by Chris Chapman which made it accessible to people now unable to get to see the Exhibition. 

RECENT ACTIVITIES 

 BRINGING EXCEPTIONAL ART TO RURAL DARTMOOR 

Green Hill Arts aspires to excellence in the Arts through the depth and breadth of the gallery programme.  

The 2025 programme included family-friendly workshops, artist talks, community carnival flag and banner-making, mindful textile sessions, a blind art auction, and a celebratory ceilidh. Our gallery programme attracts visitors helping to support local businesses, tourism, and the community’s economy.  

STRENGTHENING AND SUPPORTING THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY 

Green Hill Arts reinforces its presence in the community by regularly drawing in local artists to deliver our arts programme. 

Placements and volunteers 

We recognise how tough it is for younger artists, both in terms of isolation and getting experience in making a living from art. Our skills development programme will create opportunities especially young graduates and interns to get experience and develop skills for careers in an arts environment. 

We regularly welcome new volunteers and student placements. In 2025, these included two BA Nursing students from Exeter University completing their Art of Nursing module, an MA Museum Studies student cataloguing festival archives, and two gap-year student gaining behind-the-scenes gallery experience before choosing a creative degree path. 

Arts Awards Classes

We also want to help younger children within our community to be able to experience an education that includes art and creativity. Opportunities in these areas in schools are being eroded with priority learning directed towards the sciences and English. 

 In 2024, we partnered with Moretonhampstead Primary School, giving young people practical arts skills and qualifications. We are looking for further funding to take this initiative into other Dartmoor primary school and develop an offering for older children at Green Hill. 

IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLBEING THROUGH THE ARTS 

Green Hill Arts recognises the importance of the arts for health and wellbeing. We participate in creative projects and initiatives that, amongst other benefits; build relationships, allow creative expression, create a sense of belonging and ultimately serve the community.  

Moretonhampstead Flag Festival 
Each year, over 100 hand-made flags transform the town into a wind-blown gallery. Made from reclaimed materials by local volunteers, the festival celebrates individual creativity and community collaboration.  

ArtRaft 
Weekly 90-minute sessions for adults to explore creativity and wellbeing through drawing, collage, painting, storytelling, and more. Facilitated by textile artist Melinda Schwakhofer, sessions run in 10-week blocks with all materials provided.