Stour Valley Arts (SVA) has announced it is to close. The Kent-based organisation, which did not receive National Portfolio Organisation status in the last round of Arts Council England awards, says that despite extensive re-visioning it has been unable to secure further funding.
Formerly part of the National Portfolio in 2012-15, for the past 21 years SVA has worked to enable ‘art that engages the public in the natural environment’ from its base in King’s Wood, a 1500-acre forest between Canterbury and Ashford.
Alongside commissioning projects by artists such as Hamish Fulton, Jem Finer, London Fieldworks and Bethan Huws, since 2011 it has also presented a series of exhibitions at a dedicated gallery space in Ashford.
In 2014, SVA launched the Forest Studio, a space to host self-directed artist residency projects within the forest.
Announcing the closure, Chair Maggie Anwell said: “I am deeply saddened by this news. Stour Valley Arts has been a leader in the field of art in the environment and has been enormously valued by all those who have engaged with it, whether as artists or audience.”
