Help shape the Lakes Deer Fest 2026
Are you an artist based in Cumbria? We want to work with you to celebrate our native deer and the recovery of our landscapes.
Cumbria Connect is looking for a creative to join us for the first-ever Lakes Deer Fest. This is a chance to use your art to bring people together by creating inspiring community-focused artwork, and start conversations about the vital role deer play in a balanced ecosystem.
Cumbria Connect and partners are hosting Lakes Deer Fest on Saturday 10th October 2026 at Rheged near Penrith. It will be a celebratory day exploring the story of native Red and Roe deer, the landscapes they shape and the people who work and live alongside them.
The Role
We are seeking an artist based in Cumbria (or with strong demonstrable connections to the county) to lead the creative design, curation and development of visual and interactive elements of the festival.
Central to this residency is community co-creation. You will work closely with local groups, particularly focusing on the CA10 and CA11 postcode areas, to co-produce a new artwork to be a centrepiece of the festival program.
We welcome proposals from artists working across all mediums – including painting, sculpture, music, performance, writing and digital media. We encourage place-responsive, environmentally engaged approaches that invite thoughtful engagement with the festival’s themes.
Key information
Award: £5,000 (total award to cover fees, production, materials and travel).
Location: Cumbria based with primary focus on CA10 / CA11
Residency period: 1st May – 18th December 2026
Application deadline: Monday 30th March (midday)
Why deer?
Our work at Cumbria Connect is about restoring ecological balance so wildlife and habitats can thrive together. Native Red and Roe deer have inhabited this region for millennia. As ecosystem engineers, they remain a defining presence in our upland fells, valleys and woodlands today.
Healthy woodlands, sustainable animal populations and resilient landscape depend on active, science-led management. In some locations, balanced deer numbers are crucial to allow young trees and plants to grow, which in turn benefits birds, insects and other wildlife. For the deer themsleves, balanced populations mean better nutrition and lower disease pressure. Active management isn’t about removing species, but about creating the right conditions for all nature to thrive.
Through this residency, we want to open honest and accessible conversations about bringing the land into balance. Through art, we aim to explore both the ecological significance of deer and the complex, responsible steps involved in their management. We seek to highlight how woodland recovery and animal welfare – achieved legally and humanely – go hand in hand to support nature recovery at scale.
About the Lakes Deer Fest 2026
Date: Saturday 10th October 2026
Location: Rheged, Penrith
The festival will be a welcoming celebration of Cumbria’s nature. It will feature:
- Talks exploring deer ecology and habitat balance.
- Sustainable deer management demonstrations
- Tastings of locally-sourced wild venison
- Creative workshops and live music
Who can apply?
We’re looking for passionate individuals – artists, makers, performers, creatives – aged over 21, based in Cumbria, who love working with landscapes, ecology and people.
We particularly value experience in:
- Collaborative or community-led arts practices
- Addressing wildlife, ecology or environmental themes,
- Exploring cultural heritage and a strong sense of place
How to apply
Ready to help tell the story of deer in our changing landscape?
Simply complete the accompanying application form by following the link below.
Deadline for applications: Monday 30 March (Midday)
Questions?
If you have any questions about the process or need guidance on preparing your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Email Emma Hughes at community@connectfornature.org.uk or complete the form below.
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