The Isle of Man Arts Council exists to promote the island's cultural identity and encourage enjoyment of, and participation in, the arts. As part of it's partnership with Biosphere IOM, the Arts Council values and supports projects that showcase and educate people about the island's beautiful landscape and environment such as music, photography and outdoor art. The Arts Council supports events, projects and organisations that help boost visitor numbers and contribute to a sustainable economy such as live music festivals, exhibitions, Dark Skies events and the Annual Isle of Man Arts Council Lecture.
In today’s interconnected world, culture's power to transform societies is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from our cherished historic monuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms – enrich our everyday lives in countless ways.
UNESCO Biosphere
Our Biosphere Projects
Olivia is a 24-year-old art graduate beginning her career in the creative field. Olivia is currently working with us as our Arts Graduate Intern helping us to facilitate Isle of Man Arts Council projects and initiatives. Whilst with us, Olivia will be working on an array of Biosphere projects in the community on themes such as wellbeing, mental health, the value of public art and specifically the relationship between Biosphere and the arts.
Art has the power to convey messages and raise points in such a unique and creative way. It is so important to encourage a strong relationship between art and sustainability, from the materials used in an artwork to the message that work is addressing and hopefully this project can amplify the significance of that.
Olivia Savage
1. "Ellyn: A Tale of Contemporary Art" Book and Exhibition
Our Biosphere celebrates our unique sense of place, one that has inspired generations of artists to tell its story creatively. This exciting new collaboration encourages contemporary artists to create works that demonstrate what the Isle of Man means to them today.
Mr. Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture
The book, which will be titled "Ellyn: A Tale of Contemporary Art" ("Ellyn" being the Manx word for "Art"), aims to celebrate and cherish the Isle of Man in the form of contemporary fine art. The Isle of Man Arts Council are looking for artists working in any medium to create a piece of work that responds to the theme of the Isle of Man and what this means to them.
The Arts Council is in proud partnership with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and we are working together on this project. Biosphere’s aim is to celebrate our unique sense of place and ‘what makes us Mann’. It encourages us to connect with, and enjoy, our environment, culture and community - and tell their story creatively.
Coming from an island as small as ours, there is a connection each and every one of us feels to the Manx soil beneath us in our individual ways. The Isle of Man is a place that we carry in our hearts everywhere we go, and manages to crop up in our lives everywhere we go. Being inspired by the Isle of Man does not have to mean that your creative outlet directly responds to it, but that the connection you have to it lives within your work. When thinking of the Isle of Man, don’t think about how it is written in the history books or spoken about in a documentary, think of what it means to you alone. Think of the challenges you’ll face with your work being shown 2D in a book and how you can play with these limits.
Olivia Savage
In partnership with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, the Isle of Man Arts Council is inviting contributions to Ellyn, a book of contemporary art embodying what is special about the Isle of Man and an accompanying exhibition. In an interview with Biosphere IOM, Olivia Savage, the Arts Council's graduate intern and the project's creator, to tells more about it: read it here.
Olivia is still seeking creatives across the island to contribute artwork to a collaborative artists’ book, filled with creativity that embodies all things that make the Isle of Man special. Submissions must be in line with the brief and criteria which can be found here:
2. Mapping a Public Art Trail
Later in the year, Olivia will begin mapping public art and project managing engaging ways to increase visibility and access of public art in the community.
Public art, and sculpture art in particular, has been proven to immortalise a strong sense of identity of an area, enhancing uniqueness and character and encourages people to view land and community in new ways.
Mrs. Marlene Maska MLC, Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council
Eve Adams
"As an artist I feel very lucky to have the Island as inspiration, Everywhere you look there is beauty and intrigue, a grand tapestry stretches out at your feet all within reach to explore. Hills and uplands mixed with dramatic coastlines and glens provide some incredible views."
Read Eve Adam's #MyBiosphere article.
3. Island Artcast - Podcast
Are you a member of the public wanting to be more involved in the arts community? Every other week, Olivia is welcomed by creatives across the island and beyond the waters who share their experience of working in the creative industry and how you can be a part of it! this podcast is a platform for open and honest discussions about the art world today. Olivia is always on the lookout for new content ideas for the podcast and is planning episodes which explore the relationship between Biosphere and the arts more closely. Watch this space!
4. Willow Lantern Workshops
Grainney Sheard, Arts Engagement Officer with the Isle of Man Arts Council, tells us how traditional pre-Christmas willow lantern-making workshops are more eco-friendly this year in line with the organisation's Biosphere pledge. Each November, the Isle of Man Arts Council runs willow lantern-making for the community. Led by members of the Isle of Man Government’s Arts Team, the sessions give families the chance to construct their own illuminated lanterns, using paper glued around a willow frame to form a wide variety of shapes and designs.
Since I began in my post with the Arts Council, I have been conscious of our use of plastics at these workshops and have been keen to find more eco-friendly alternatives. This year I am proud to say that we have made a conscious effort to reduce the number of single-use plastics involved in the workshops. We have invested in more sustainable materials such as reusable tablecloths and aprons as well as encouraging families to come to the workshops in their old clothing to reduce the number of plastic protective aprons needed. We hope that these changes will result in the workshops being more environmentally friendly as well as encouraging our participants to be mindful of sustainable practices. Our aim is to support our ecosystem and make decisions that will benefit the environment. It is important for us to be mindful of unnecessary materials and their negative environmental impact.
Grainney Sheard, Arts Engagement Officer
5. Artists and the Biosphere
As part of our ongoing commitment as a biosphere partner, the Arts Engagement Officer works closely with Biosphere IOM's Project Officer on special collaborations which highlight the use of art to celebrate our natural landscape. For example, many articles interviewing artists on their website have come as a result of ideas and contacts with island based artists provided by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
Our Biosphere status prompts us to consider the decisions we make and the actions we take and their impact on the Island we cherish. But this is more visceral than just making changes to and choices in our lives that promote sustainability. It includes evaluating how we, as individuals, feel about the Biosphere we are lucky enough to call home and how we demonstrate that relationship. That is often through art, writing, music, etc.
Jo Overty, Project Officer, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man.
Kate Summerville
Isle of Man artist Kate Summerville describes how the sea that makes up nine tenths of our UNESCO Biosphere, and its colourful inhabitants, inspire her work- and updates us on the challenge she set herself during the latest lockdowns: Read Kate's article here.
Sally's art celebrates nature of our Biosphere
Artist Sally Black captures our Biosphere's natural wonders on canvas and on ceramics. She tells us about her work and where you can see and buy it. Read the article here.
Throatbone by Simon Maddrell
A pamphlet of poems by Manxman Simon Maddrell, published this month, showcases the Isle of Man's landscapes, customs and lore but also casts an eye back to less enlightened times in politics. We speak to him about it: Read it here.
Artist Ellie is inspired by our Biosphere
Artist Ellie Baker is inspired by our UNESCO Biosphere's land and seascapes, its light and its ever-changing weather. The Biosphere team asked her about her distinctive work: Read it here.
Frauke creates art from foraged materials
Fervent upcycler Frauke Watson forages for other people’s waste and turns it into unique and quirky works of art. She tells us about how she has converted her hobby into a career. Read it here.
Potter inspired by land and sea
Faye Christian tells our Biosphere’s story through her ceramics. A farmer as well as a potter, Faye describes how the land and sea inspire her and how her miniature Manx cottages are captivating the public. Read it here.
Artist Graham Rider is inspired by Island beaches
Accomplished artist Graham Rider, of Douglas, is inspired by the Isle of Man's beaches. His work forms part of an exhibition opening next month. He talks about why he took up painting and how to follow in his footsteps. Read it here.
Life through the lens of local photographer and poet Janet Lees
Biosphere spoke to Poet and Filmmaker, Janet Lees about when she first become interested in capturing the Isle of Man and other locations through poetry and photography. Read it here.
More information about UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man can be found at www.biosphere.im
