Forest of Imagination shortlisted for award

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Forest of Imagination pop-up arts festival shortlisted for national award

A contemporary arts and architecture project co-curated by a leading academic at Bath Spa University, has once again been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. 

The annual Bath-based pop-up arts festival, Forest of Imagination, brought ‘Assemble in the Forest’ to the city in 2023, and it is one of just five projects from around the country to be shortlisted in the ‘one off activity - children’ category of the Inspire Future Generations (IFG) Awards. 

The IFG Awards, run by the Thornton Education Trust (TET), aim to recognise individuals and initiatives that have been working with children and young people, helping them to engage in, and advocate for, a better built environment. The specific category Forest of Imagination is shortlisted for recognises ‘activities or events for younger children that explore architecture as a creative learning tool in an informal setting’. 

Forest of Imagination is led by Dr Penny Hay, Professor of Imagination, Reader in Creative Teaching and Learning at Bath Spa University, and Founding Director at House of Imagination, in collaboration with Andrew Grant from Grant Associates (designer of the Super Trees in Singapore), and Peter Clegg of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. On every project, the team aims to reimagine a familiar space, to inspire creativity and heighten a sense of nature in an urban environment. 

Forest of Imagination, which pops up in a different form, and at a different location in Bath, each summer, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. ‘Assemble in the Forest’, which was open to the public from 14 June to 14 July, invited children, young people and families to explore art and architecture in a creative learning installation at Bath’s world-famous Assembly Rooms, bringing nature inside and outside as a unique sensory experience.  

Talking about the nomination, Dr Penny Hay said: 

“We are all so delighted to be finalists in the Inspire Future Generations Awards. ‘Assemble in the Forest’ 2023 at Bath Assembly Rooms, inspired hopeful action in response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies with inspiring installations co-designed with our dream team at Grant Associates, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Invisible Studio, Bathscape and the National Trust, working with lead artists Morag Myerscough, Andrew Amondson, Matt Leece and a whole host of creative partners.  

Forest of Imagination is an important research and public engagement project that highlights an interdisciplinary and imaginative approach alongside the creative, cultural and educational community. Together we can imagine more hopeful futures, for people and the planet to flourish." 

The winners of the Future Generation Awards will be announced on 4 December at The Building Centre in London. 

Image credit: Morag Myerscough