Art and collections
We care for one of the world's largest and most significant collections of art and heritage objects. Explore the highlights, our latest major exhibitions, curatorial research and more.
Trust New Art exhibitions and events
Launched in 2009, Trust New Art connects people to nature, beauty and history through contemporary arts. Discover the exhibitions and events that are happening at the places in our care, and find out how to get involved with future Trust New Art projects.
About Trust New Art
Many of the places we look after were built with creativity at their heart. Since 2009, Trust New Art has been continuing this important creative legacy by commissioning contemporary arts at the places we look after – from crafts to architecture and performance to immersive installations.
So far, we’ve worked with more than 300 artists to present new work that's taken visitors to unexplored areas, revealed hidden stories and helped people to see these places in different ways.
What's on in 2024
A Tiger in the Castle
Powis Castle, Powys
Discover a new exhibition by award winning Welsh artist Daniel Trivedy, responding to Powis Castle’s colonial connection to India. The exhibition features a series of photographic images, a video of a performance shot inside the castle and grounds and a filmed interview with the artist. A poetic response by Lauren Craig unpacks deeper meanings behind the artist’s performance.
24 February to 3 November 2024
Visit a Tiger in the Castle at Powis
The ‘Ailfframio’ Exhibition
Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd
Created by the local community of Penrhyn Castle and inspired by Henry Hawkins’ depiction of the Penrhyn Quarry, this exhibition features ceramics, textiles, and a large collage the size of the painting itself. The exhibition is also bursting with new artworks.
6 July to 3 November 2024
Visit The ‘Ailfframio’ Exhibition
Listen to the Voices of the Fen
Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Listen to the voices of many different species at Wicken Fen through this outdoor sound installation by Kathy Hinde. Activities and installations will reveal hidden sounds we may not usually notice, from underwater, underground and inside trees. Join us for a deep listening walk or explore at your own pace.
In partnership with Babylon Arts. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
18 July to 29 September 2024
Visit Listen to the Voices of the Fen at Wicken Fen
The Botanical World of Mary Delany
Beningbrough Hall, Yorkshire
Discover the pioneering technique of Mary Delany, an 18th-century artist whose ‘paper mosaiks’ were celebrated as scientifically accurate botanical specimens. A new photographic display, presented in partnership with the British Museum, shows Delany’s artworks alongside historic objects by female artists from our collections. This includes new sculptures by Rebecca Stevenson and interactive origami and abstract photography collages by Kate Buckley and Amy Martina.
10 September to 23 March 2025
Visit The Botanical World of Mary Delany
‘A Virtuous Woman’ by Layla Khoo
Hardwick, Derbyshire
Express your ideas and notions of virtue and the qualities of a virtuous woman today in a new artwork inspired by the Noblewomen Embroideries. Artist Layla Khoo is reimaging the ‘Lost Embroidery’ from this set at Hardwick Hall and is inviting you to contribute to the piece.
11 September to 3 November 2024
Visit ‘A Virtuous Woman’ by Layla Khoo
Blossomise
Online
Get into the spirit of the blossom season with a selection of poems from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s new book, Blossomise, alongside illustrations from the book by celebrated artist Angela Harding
Discover poems from Blossomise
As part of the Blossomise project, Simon Armitage and his band LYR have produced five new songs. Watch all the music videos here, and the ‘making of’ video that takes a look behind the scenes.
Permanent Works
Writ in Water
Runnymede, Surrey
At Runnymede over 800 years ago, the feudal barons forced King John to seal the Magna Carta. Now, Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger, in collaboration with architectural practice Studio Octopi, has created a tranquil space that gives visitors the chance to consider the ongoing significance and influences of this historic agreement.
Commissioned in association with Situations.
Permanent
Visit Writ in Water at Runnymede
The Jurors
Runnymede, Surrey
Take a seat in this ancient landscape, where the Magna Carta was signed over 800 years ago. Hew Locke’s 12 bronze jurors’ chairs invite you to reflect on the histories and issues on display, and to debate the meaning of justice.
Permanent
The Artificial Sunshine
The Argory, County Armagh
This striking neon-light installation, designed by Northern Irish artist Kevin Killen, places a bespoke contemporary display inside an historic house. Inspired by the glow of the acetylene gas flame that lit The Argory, The Artificial Sunshine delivers an entirely modern take on this celebrated form of lighting.
Permanent
Get involved with Trust New Art
There are many ways to get involved with Trust New Art, from working with us as an artist to volunteering at one of the places in our care.
The Trust New Art programme is planned up to four years in advance, and projects can be initiated by our own teams, or through collaborations with museums, galleries, universities and professional organisations. The majority of our commissions are selected through an open-call process, and we advertise these through our website and social media feeds, as well as on Arts Jobs, which is Arts Council England’s opportunities board.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive information about future opportunities.
Due to the large volume of proposals received, we can only follow up in exceptional circumstances and are not able to return unsolicited material.
To get in touch, email creativecommissioning@nationaltrust.org.uk.
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