Beach Creative's NEW Climate Action project, supported by Art Fund
- Beach Creative
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Beach Creative CIC (Herne Bay) presents Carnival of the Animals inspired by the international public art and climate action project THE HERDS, supported by Art Fund.
The project will see a life-size puppet bison parade through Herne Bay with a carnival of animals as part of global climate action project.
From April to August 2025, ever-growing herds of life-size puppet animals will stampede into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster. THE HERDS is a public artwork on a scale never before attempted and will vividly dramatise the climate crisis.
With support from Art Fund, Beach Creative CIC joins THE HERDS alongside 43 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, bringing artistic events, workshops and educational activities to local communities to inspire the next generation and deepen connections with the natural world.
In July 2022, Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust introduced European bison into the Herne Bay area as part of the Wilder Blean project. Beach Creative, in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust, Herne Bay in Bloom Community Kitchen Garden and led by artist Wendy Chandler will create a life size puppet of a bison from recycled materials during May and June. The bison will walk in local carnivals accompanied by an army of local animals, insects, flora and fauna of the area created by local children, young people and community groups in July and August.
THE HERDS will engage with audiences along the 20,000km route with special UK performances in London 27 – 29 June, and Greater Manchester 3 – 5 July. All events are free and have been designed in collaboration with local partners to create a hugely powerful participatory event.
“We can often feel helpless in the face of the climate crisis, but this project has already generated so many ideas as to how we can become a catalyst for positive change in our community.
Gill Wilson, Director of Beach Creative
An accompanying learning resource ‘Let The Wildness In’, supported by Art Fund, will be available to engage schools, families and communities across the world with free downloadable resources, education and activity packs, reading lists, lesson plans and open-source puppetry design kits.
THE HERDS is presented in partnership with global climate organisations – including WWF International, Save the Elephants, Wild Africa, Global Rewilding Alliance and TED Countdown - as well as numerous arts organisations, scientists, artists, zoologists, politicians, climate activists, universities and civil society groups across Central, West and North Africa and Europe to present one united call for action.
“Art Fund is supporting 44 museums and galleries across the UK take part in THE HERDS with their communities. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational activities, we’re excited to enable even more people of all ages to get involved in their local area and be inspired by museum collections and this extraordinary international climate movement.”
Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund
THE HERDS is produced by David Lan and Tracey Seaward for The Walk Productions and created by Amir Nizar Zuabi with Executive Producer Sarah Loader.
Carnival of the Animals is inspired by THE HERDS and supported by Art Fund.
Art Fund
Art Fund is the national charity for museums and galleries. For over 120 years, it has helped institutions across the UK to develop and share their collections, invest in people and expertise, grow their audiences and inspire the next generation.
Art Fund connects museums and people with great art and culture through funding, advocacy and initiatives, because access to art is vital for a healthy society. It champions the sector through the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year Award - the world’s largest museum prize - and supports museum professionals through dedicated training and grant programmes.
Independent and people-powered, Art Fund is supported by 142,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, as well as generous contributions from individuals, trusts and foundations. The National Art Pass offers free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places in the UK, 50% off major exhibitions, a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art In Your Inbox newsletter.
Comments