Calling all artists: share your creative vision

In its 40th year, the John Muir Trust invites visual artists, writers, photographers, sculptors, videographers, podcasters and outdoor enthusiasts to share your creative vision of freedom for wild places. 

Our vision is a world where wild places give nature, people and communities the freedom to thrive. We want to see them valued for their ecological, cultural and economic importance, and see them protected and enhanced for future generations.  

But these are your wild places. We are asking: what does ‘freedom for wild places’ mean to you? Through writing, photography, 2D and 3D artworks, video and audio, we are seeking your creative vision for wild places. 

Working artists and creatives are joining us on the selection panel to pick the best submissions for an exhibition Pitlochry's Wild Space in spring 2024, with the overall favouite entry receiving an artist in residence opportunity in collaboration with the John Muir Trust. 

Speaking about the exhibition, wildlife photographer and panellist Andy Howard said: “As someone that spends so much time in wild places, I’ve come to appreciate the need to protect and nurture these wild places for all. This is not only for the visiting public, but for the local people who live and work in these areas and, like me, make a living from these precious and fragile lands. 

"I’m thrilled and honoured to be able to work with the Trust as a judge for this prestigious multimedia exhibition, and look forward to and relish the opportunity to work alongside the other panellists to select what we feel are the best entries. I can’t wait to see and read the entrants' work, of which I have no doubt will be of the highest quality, thought-provoking and exciting.” 

Joining him on the Creative Freedom panel are: Polly Pullar; Liz Myhill; Roberta Fulford; Stuart Kenny and Rebecca Logsdon.

Different people experience ‘wild’ in different ways in different places - from pocket parks in big cities to vast remote landscapes - and everything in between. We all understand the world in different ways: feelings of awe for nature, a sense of threat, an urgent need to protect the planet, a desire to experience and enjoy our most spectacular and precious locations in a way that protects and enhances them for others and future generations. 

Ross Brannigan, the Trust’s Membership Officer and lead in the Creative Freedom call, explained more about the project: “As the year of our 40th anniversary comes to an end, we wanted to look ahead to future years when the next generation and their creative visions will be crucial to the survival of our wild places. 

“We wanted to provide a space for people to think into that space. We also want to ensure as many people as possible can be involved, so we've kept the entry prices as low as possible to encourage a diversity of creative voices."

Submissions in languages other than English are encouraged, as we know there is a breadth of meaning and relationship with wild places in every language.

All people who love wild places - including our Members, volunteers, Junior Rangers and John Muir Award Providers and participants - can enter as an Adult (aged 17+), Junior (under 17), or as a Group (three or more artists working on a single artwork).

^ Liz Myhill painting by the sea

Entries open on 15 September 2023 at noon and will close at noon on 30 November. Winners will be announced in February 2024, with selected pieces exhibited in our Wild Space visitor centre from 16 March until end of April 2024. 

• For further information about the competition, as well as the Terms and Conditions, visit the submissions page.