Culture in Common

We are responsible for conserving and enhancing the New Forest and promoting understanding and enjoyment of the things that make it special. We are the local planning authority for the National Park. As well as our nature conservation and visitor information responsibilities, our services include education, interpretation, recreation and archaeology.

From grassroots origins to international audiences, we produce high-quality dance projects, develop artistic careers and improve wellbeing for our participants. Our medium is the classical Indian dance of Odissi. Originating from the Bay of Bengal over two thousand years ago, Odissi deals with contemporary and classical themes that remain just as relevant in storytelling today. Its narratives are researched and presented to audiences as both movements and rasas, representing emotions of real life experiences such as love, devotion, anger and playfulness. Our dancers and artists deliver renowned workshops and performances that bring Odissi to thousands of new audience members every year.

We’re the Sustainable Conservation Trust (SCT) – a not-for-profit team of architects, artists, and placemakers reusing historic buildings through creative collaboration and technology. From forts and slaughterhouses to alleyways and pop-ups, we bring forgotten spaces back to life with community at the heart. Our base at the Old Pay Office in Historic Dockyard is a living lab for residencies, skills workshops, and test projects. We welcome creatives of all kinds to join us in reimagining heritage – as a platform, not a museum piece. If you’re a local maker, artist, designer, photographer, coder, or storyteller and think heritage is more than bricks and plaques – let’s talk.