We are Shining
Leading National Trust participation in Wildworks’ £1M cultural engagement programme, platforming the voices of Cornish communities through co-produced art and storytelling
PROJECT OVERVIEW
CLIENT: National Trust / Wildworks
ROLE: Project Manager, Creative Producer, Evaluator
TIMELINE: 2023-2024
PROJECT TYPE: partnership / art commissioning / co-production / community outreach
Outcomes and achievements
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![Camilla Forest with Wildworks and National Trust staff accept commendations at the Cornwall Heritage Awards.]()
Cornwall Heritage Awards
The National Trust was highly commended at the Cornwall Heritage Awards for categories including ‘Leadership’, ‘Collaboration’, and ‘Exhibition of the Year’ for Story Shelter.
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![The 'crowns' engine houses on the Tin Coast in Cornwall.]()
100% buy-in
All Cornish National Trust properties participated in We are shining, hosting artist-led community making workshops and the resulting exhibitions.
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![National Trust staff laugh while making a wreath at Trelowarren.]()
Increased confidence
Evaluation demonstrated improved staff confidence in curating art in underused heritage spaces and expanded knowledge of community engagement approaches.
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![Paintings and drawings on a table.]()
National recognition
The work has been shared nationally across the National Trust as a case study for partner-led creative practice.
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![A fabric panel depicting a Cornish engine house under the moon.]()
New partnerships
The project stablished multiple new partnerships between property teams and local groups representing underserved Cornish communities.
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![Visitors explore panels inside Story Shelter by Bec Applebee.]()
49,000 visitors
Story Shelter and This is Me welcomed 49K visitors during their respective touring exhibitions across seven National Trust properties.
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![A fabric panel depicts the sun rising in Story Shelter by Bec Applebee.]()
Deep emotional engagement
Creative community participation and the resulting exhibitions sparked deep emotional responses from visitors, who responded to the authentic representation of Cornish voices.
THE BRIEF
How do you engage underrepresented Cornish audiences with the National Trust while building capacity for community-led creative practice across multiple heritage sites?
Wildworks' We Are Shining programme, funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund, presented an ambitious opportunity to deliver two major art commissions and touring exhibitions, but required deep collaboration between artists, property teams, and communities who'd never worked together before.
CAMILLA’S APPROACH
PARTNER COLLABORATION
I facilitated a strategic partnership between the National Trust and Wildworks, acting as liaison across all Cornish National Trust properties, artists, and community groups.
CREATIVE PRODUCTION
I collaborated with Wildworks’ creative producer, developing from concept and designing two major touring exhibitions that showcased the work across multiple National Trust sites.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
I managed the £170K budget, timeline, and risks while coordinating creative production for two co-produced commissions: Story Shelter by Bec Applebee and This is Me by Melanie Young and Caroline Schanche.
IMPACT EVALUATION
Throughout, I embedded evaluation to capture audience development outcomes, staff learning, and the feasibility of using heritage spaces for community outreach.
“Camilla’s commitment to strengthening the partnership was unwavering, even when tested by various challenges. Her ability to listen and understand complex situations, along with her empathy and patience, ensured the success of teamwork and engagement across the programme.”
Michael white, executive creative producer, wildworks
