Trust New Art exhibitions and events

Artist Serena Korda installs her ceramic mushroom artwork

We invite you to experience our special places from a different perspective. Many of our places were built with art at their heart. To continue this important creative legacy, we created our Trust New Art programme in 2009. Since then we’ve worked with over 200 artists to create new work inspired by places in our care.

The installations you visit might take you to unexplored areas, reveal hidden stories or help you see our places in different ways. Our arts programme includes visual arts, crafts, architecture, performance, and writing – all inspired by the spirit of our special places.

We work with Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Wales to make these projects possible. Explore what’s happening near you...

East of England
Curious Cabinets at Felbrigg Hall

Wild and Exotic: Gary McCann at Felbrigg Hall, Norwich 

Follow in the footsteps of Felbrigg Hall’s exotic travellers and discover wild and eccentric objects from the storerooms displayed for the first time. Theatre designer, Gary McCann, has designed four extraordinary pieces of furniture to highlight his selection of weird and wonderful objects brought back to Felbrigg from all over the world by the different generations who lived there.

Extended into 2019
Aid & Abet in residency at Peckover House

Transitions in Time: Aid and Abet at Peckover, Cambridgeshire 

Discover Aid and Abet’s expanded cabinet of curiosity, where collectable curios and ordinary domestic objects are transformed into a series of new artworks inspired by the lives, beliefs and artistic talents of the Peckover and Penrose families. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the house coming into the care of the National Trust, artists Sarah Evans and David Kefford have been in residence at Peckover, working with staff, volunteers and community groups to bring this immersive installation to life.

From February 2018
Midlands
An overhead view of the Field of Play at Attingham Park

Field of Play: Walter Jack Studios at Attingham Park, Shropshire 

Discover new ways to play at Attingham as its natural play space evolves over the next few years. Over thirty linked circles are currently marked out across the entire field, creating a series of circular spaces for exploration and play – a design motif that reflects the pattern found inside the mansion. Look out for further changes, as well as ways to make your mark as Walter Jack Studios continues to develop this space.

Until end 2019
Garden installation at Berrington Hall

Look! Look! Look!: Heather and Ivan Morrison at Berrington Hall, Herefordshire 

Step into Heather and Ivan Morrison’s contemporary pavilion. This major new work takes inspiration from the Georgian tradition of temporary structures used for shelter, entertaining, dining, reading or illicit meetings. The pavilion marks the start of the restoration of Berrington’s Walled Garden, taking it back to its Georgian heyday.

10 June 2017 – 12 December 2019
BITA performing at the Adam Speaks launch day

Adam Speaks: Chris Alton at Croome, Worcestershire  

Wrapped around one of the cedar trees at the foot of Church Hill, discover Croome’s new Adam inspired ‘tree house’ by emerging artist Chris Alton. Taking Robert Adam’s vision and designs at Croome as inspiration, Chris Alton worked with Kimichi School, The Birmingham Institute of Theatre Arts, Writing West Midlands and St Barnabas First and Middle School to develop this new co-production.

25 November 2017 - November 2018
Installation called 'Chair Play' by artist Will Datson

Chair Play: Will Datson at Croome, Worcestershire 

Will Datson’s towering Chair Play is one of several artist installations you’ll discover at Croome. His eye-catching chair structure is designed to showcase part of Croome’s recently returned collection.

Continuing into 2019
Visitors walking through 'The Golden Box'

The Golden Box: Bouke de Vries at Croome, Worcestershire  

Step into Bouke de Vries’ The Golden Box, which was commissioned to present some of Croome’s recently returned ceramics collection. The cube is encrusted with exquisite pieces of Meissen, Worcester and Sèvres porcelain. Reflect on and experience Croome’s stunning collection from a unique perspective.

Continuing into 2019
Catherine Aitken working on new artwork at Packwood House

Prospect Room: Catherine Aitken & David Murphy at Packwood House, Warwickshire  

Get closer to Packwood’s intriguing creator Baron Ash in the Prospect Room, an architectural destination in the landscape created by designer Catherine Aitken and artist David Murphy. This is a contemplative space between inside and outside that explores the dynamic between Packwood’s house and garden. Filtering light and sound it will play with your senses, presenting new ways of looking at Packwood's ever-changing scenery.

October 2017 – 2019
Ben Wigley combines photography with drawings and paintings

A Lost Paradise?: Benjamin Wigley at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire 

Travel on a visual journey through Shugborough’s parkland, back to the tumultuous night of the great flood of 1795 that destroyed Thomas Anson’s sublime vision of his perfect paradise. Using celluloid film, sound, poetry and hand-crank-powered projector boxes positioned at points within the landscape, film maker Ben Wigley conjures up a dream-like glimpse back to the tempestuous event that changed the landscape forever.

Until summer 2019
North
The study at Cragside

The Great Cragside Cover-up: Kate Stobbart and Harriet Sutcliffe at Cragside, Northumberland 

Reconsider the presentation of women at Cragside. Stobbart and Sutcliffe’s contemporary installation deliberately obscures items from the collection that illustrate a strong male influence, encouraging you to think again about the absence of the female voice throughout history.

Until 4 November
Polly by Charles Holland at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire

folly!: Various artists and architects at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire 

folly! is back for 2018, bigger and bolder than ever. Celebrating the playful, whimsical style of Studley Royal water garden, the four designs will bring fresh colour and curiosity to the landscape. Internationally recognised architects and artists Charles Holland, Lucy + Jorge Orta and Fleafolly will create installations for folly! 2018 to bewitch and beguile you.

28 April – 4 November 2018
Artist Anya Gallaccio at Lindisfarne Castle

Dreamed about the flowers that hide from the light: Anya Gallaccio at Lindisfarne, Northumberland 

Explore the Castle transformed as Turner-prize nominated artist Anya Gallaccio invites visitors to see spaces and histories anew. Inspired by the hidden histories of the house, speaking to both interior and exterior spaces, you’ll be able to experience an immersive journey through the transformed rooms of Lindisfarne - colours, organic textures and unexpected forms await.

5 May 2018 – November 2018
people holding cards on a crag overlooking Wastwater

Fellowship of wind, rain and sunshine at the Lake District 

This year we're commemorating the gift of 14 summits to the nation as a war memorial after the First World War, through a special 'leave no trace' arts project of a song cycle performed and recorded on the top of Great Gable and the other fells gifted by the Fell and Rock Climbing Club and private landowners. Cumbrian songwriter and teacher Dave Camlin is working with professional and amateur musicians drawn from community choirs across Cumbria and northern England to bring this unique project to life

Spring - autumn 2018
Contemporary artist Giles Round gets inspiration from Chippendale cabinet at Nostell, West Yorkshire

Obelisk Marbling and The Director: Giles Round at Nostell, West Yorkshire  

Celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Chippendale at Nostell in West Yorkshire this year through visiting one of the temporary exhibitions. Marking Chippendale’s legacy as a creator of fashionable interiors and furnishings, Nostell will be host to a number of temporary exhibitions, which includes a current collaboration with contemporary artist Giles Round.

14 July – 4 November
Artist Serena Korda installs her ceramic mushroom artwork

The Bell Tree: Serena Korda at Speke Hall, Liverpool 

Step into a magical environment this autumn. Deep in the heart of Speke's woodland is an ancient oak tree which has been transformed by award-winning artist Serena Korda into a sculptural sound installation with over 300 ceramic mushroom bells. Inspired by the folklore of the native bluebells that grow beneath its branches, The Bell Tree celebrates the dark side of the fairy kingdom.

Until July 2019
Northern Ireland
Neon light installation - The Argory

Artificial Sunshine: Kevin Killen at The Argory, County Armagh 

Bathe in the glow of Kevin Killen’s neon light installation which spills down the spiral stairwell at the heart of this historic house. This Northern Irish artist found inspiration in the glow of the acetylene gas flame that once lit The Argory, to deliver an entirely contemporary take on this celebrated form of light.

Until November 2019
South East
A Woman's Place installation at Knole, Kent

A Women’s Place: Various artists at Knole, Kent 

Discover the work of six high profile contemporary female artists as they highlight the progression towards female equality. Inspired by stories of the women who have contributed to the spirit & history of Knole, Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid, along with CJ Mahony, Lindsay Seers, Emily Speed, Alice May Williams and Melanie Wilson have been commissioned by curators Day+Gluckman to respond to and uncover these hidden histories.

17 May – 4 November 2018
Virginia Woolf's writing desk at Monk's House

A Room of One’s Own: Monk’s House, East Sussex 

Play your part in an ongoing installation and film that responds to Virginia Woolf’s ‘A Room of One’s Own’, fittingly housed in the room in which she used to write. You are invited to share an image of your own creative space or to donate a copy of the book, with your favourite part highlighted.

An ongoing installation
Mark Wallinger's The Writ in Water installation at Runnymede, Surrey

Writ in Water, Mark Wallinger in collaboration with Studio Octopi at Runnymede, Surrey 

Reflect and re-imagine at Runnymede through a new public artwork - Writ in Water. At a site where over 800 years ago the feudal barons forced King John to seal the Magna Carta, Turner Prize winning artist Mark Wallinger, in collaboration with architectural practice Studio Octopi, has created a tranquil space offering you the chance to consider the ongoing significance and influences of Magna Carta. Commissioned in association with Situations.

Ongoing
The Jurors artwork by Hew Locke, at Runnymede in Surrey

The Jurors: Hew Locke at Runnymede, Surrey 

Take a seat in this ancient landscape where the Magna Carta was signed over 800 years ago. Beautifully created with imagery, Hew Locke’s 12 bronze jurors’ chairs invite you to reflect on the histories and issues shown, and to debate the meaning of justice.

Long term installation
Jamie Chalmers aka Mr X Stitch

X-mas tree: Mr X Stich at Standen House and Garden, West Sussex 

Celebrate the festive season at Standen and marvel at the 20-foot designer tree created by one of the most renowned textile artists, Mr X Stich. The local community are being invited by the artist to make the finishing touches, bringing joy and merriment to this late Victorian Arts and Crafts family home.

25 November - 6 January
Standen Bothy by Will Shannon Mezzanine and Stained Glass window

Bothy: Will Shannon at Standen, West Sussex 

Tucked away on Standen’s sandstone rocks, Will Shannon’s Bothy is a space to shelter, reflect and create. Inspired by the pioneering principles of Standen’s Arts and Crafts heritage, Shannon has learnt new skills to create each component of the folly-like structure.

Long term installation
South West
Edward Crooks within his installation Holding Up at Castle Drogo, Devon

Holding Up: Edward Crooks at Castle Drogo, Devon 

Climb into Edward Crook’s theatrical installation and celebrate the unbuilt proposals and countless tales of the castle’s history. With fragments sampled from across time, Holding Up invites you to make connections with the existing architecture; such as the cantilevered granite staircase and domes in the ceiling. Devised following a working residency at Drogo, the artwork has grown from Edward’s exploration of the archives.

Until 4th November 2018
Checking and adding the finishing touches to The Ripple Effect at Lacock Abbey

The Ripple Effect: Anna Heinrich & Leon Palmer at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire 

Immerse yourself in the peaceful light and sound installation which fills the Chaplains’ Room at Lacock Abbey. Drawing inspiration from the contemplative space of the medieval cloisters, these artists ask us to consider ‘what does peace mean today?’ This is the first of three contemporary installations that will explore this provocative question in the context of Lacock.

8 September - 18 November 2018
The State Dressing Room at Nostell, West Yorkshire

Our special exhibitions 

This year's exciting exhibitions celebrate women and our cultural heritage, the 300th anniversary of Chippendale’s birth and much more. Look out for Killerton's Branded fashion exhibition exploring feminity and the right to vote.

Explore our major exhibitions