Arts and Crafts are important to sustainable development for many reasons. It is widely accepted that a vibrant and thriving creative community is beneficial to local economy and improves local self-confidence. Nationally creative industries are growing twice as fast as the rest of the economy, employing an estimated 1.4 million people. Herefordshire has a healthy and diverse arts scene with a wide range of opportunities for people to take part in creative activities, quality arts venues and galleries, and an array of arts festivals.

The environment itself is a key inspiration for many artists. Many craftspeople use local products as raw material for their work – basket making and woodwork, fabrics and dyes. Protecting the environment and managing it in a sustainable way is therefore important to maintaining our artistic and cultural community.

Artists and craftspeople can help transform our view of the world. A visit to an exhibition, a building, poetry reading, film or theatre can be an uplifting, inspiring or moving experience that few other influences on our lives can provide. In short, art is good for the mental, spiritual and physical health.

The arts can also have a valuable role to play in getting the message of sustainable development across in a way that appeals to children and adults alike. Many local galleries make a feature of their support for local artists and craftspeople.

Herefordshire’s buildings and cultural heritage are an important reason for many people to visit the County, and today’s artists, designers and galleries are continuing to evolve the area’s identity in a way that respects the past but adds much for the modern world and future generations to appreciate.