TAKE Art is to launch the UK leg of International project Ruritage, aiming to support the rural areas through a celebration of food and the arts.

Ruritage is a large scale four-year international project, taking place in 25 countries, with 38 partners, all aiming to prove that the arts and culture are fundamental to the survival and success of rural communities.

Take Art will be focusing on the arts and food and will start by bringing together local people, food growers, theatre companies and artists to talk about how the arts and culture could join forces with farmers, growers and distributors, to build happier and healthier communities in and around Crewkerne, Chard, South Petherton and Ilminster.

Take Art aims to create a Hub at the centre of the four communities, where people from the health, food, social and arts sectors can come together to plan events and activities that combine food and culture. These might include travelling theatre shows that feature cookery and/or local history, creative farmer’s markets, storytelling in orchards, barn dances and apple and produce festivals.

The Ruritage project in Somerset will run until 2022 and will feature a whole programme of regular activity, devised in collaboration with the community and the arts and food sectors.

Take Art will be launching their Ruritage initiative tomorrow (November 22) in Speke Hall, Dowlish Wake.

To find out more visit takeart.org/ruritage