Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) are thrilled to announce the appointment of Island based artist, Clare Payne, as the inaugural Biosphere Artist in Residence. The year-long post, in partnership with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and funded by Isle of Man Arts Council, will start immediately. It is hoped the residency will connect new audiences with Manx nature, through the medium of art, the aim being to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy our culture and the arts, as well as inspiring them to act for Manx nature.

The Isle of Man enjoys a reputation as one that cares and has a conscience for the unique culture, heritage, and community of its past and present. Few other places can identify such a clear and intimate connection between its society, environment, and economy. The landscape and seascape of the Island is an inspiration to its creative communities and treasured by residents and visitors alike. The inaugural Biosphere Artist in Residence programme brings together the vision of a sustainable future for Ellan Vannin by bringing people closer to nature and promoting our unique Manx culture and distinctiveness as central to the Island’s image both nationally and internationally.

The residency will include a focus on outputs in the north of the Island, including Ramsey Hairpin Woodland Park, several MWT Nature Reserves and the Ayres Nature Discovery Centre. The Artist in Residence will be working on collaborative and individual art projects at events like MWT’s BioBlitz at Groudle Glen on the 7^th of May, part of Manx Wildlife Week and MWT’s flagship event, Festival of the Sea, held in Port Erin on the 16^th and 17^th July. The residency will also be developing other, more art focused, events throughout the year.

Clare starts the Artist in residence role with MWT this week and would like to know more about what art mediums people in the Isle of Man would most like to try and what events they would want to get involved in. You can complete the short three-question survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CT2B9R6.

MWT are also seeking local businesses to support and provide homes for art projects created as part of this residency. Potential sponsors and interested parties should contact MWT on enquiries@mwt.im. It is hoped that the Artist in Residence post will create a lasting legacy of art as a celebration of the Island’s rich and important species and habitats.

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Vice-Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, said: “As we tackle the global climate emergency, we need to seek new ways to connect people with the beauty and importance of nature and to highlight the threats to biodiversity.

This is a fundamental role of our UNESCO Biosphere.

This innovative residency will encourage people across our Biosphere to be curious about, appreciate and interpret Manx nature and will inspire positive actions.”

Clare Payne, MWT Artist in Residence, said: "I am absolutely over-the-moon to be awarded this amazing opportunity!  We have some fantastic art projects planned to collaborate with the Manx community and create some fabulous works, promoting the Isle of Man's wonderful wildlife and wild spaces. 

As a conservation 'artivist', I aspire to inspire the Manx public of all ages and interests to love our incredible environment and, through art, I really believe we can raise awareness to support and celebrate the diversity of our unique biosphere."

Leigh Morris, CEO of MWT, said: “Engaging with people has always been a focus for conservation organisations, as ultimately we need the people to care and deliver actions for nature if we are to achieve our goals. To this aim, in 2022, MWT are aiming to increase our interactions with our IOM community, to showcase #ManxNature and our Biosphere. Our new Artist in Residence, Clare Payne, adds a fantastic new dimension to how we are able to do this, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how Clare will use the role to bring art, nature and IOM people closer together!”