Aims of the Trust

Purpose and Values

Dartington is a pioneering charity nurturing ideas to address pressing problems. We work together for the advancement in the arts, sustainability and social justice.

Throughout its modern history Dartington has invited creative people from around the world to its rural estate, encouraging them to conceive, develop and test promising ideas in a wide variety of fields. This Dartington Experiment has made significant contributions to the nation and the world either through its own activities or the inspiration it has provided for others.

Common to all its activities is a distinctive culture and place that derives its inspiration from its founders, Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst.

This culture can be defined by the following values:

• that given the opportunity, everybody has the potential to improve our world
• that new initiatives require both promising ideas and a pioneering person
• that a holistic approach broadens perspectives
• that learning by doing educates the whole person
• that a mastery of craft drives deeper understanding
• that true learning comes from the courage to participate and have a go
• that individual and collective creativity nourishes human nature and stimulates imagination

Above all, Dartington changes people’s lives. It does so by providing a place where inspired ideas can be realised through imagination, exploration, reflection and practice.

Programmes of Work

Arts: At a time when many experience the arts only as members of an audience, Dartington provides opportunities for people of all ages, including amateurs and professionals, to participate in the belief that active engagement with the arts nourishes the human spirit.

Sustainability: Believing that environmental protection and economic development should be complementary goals, Dartington supports educational programmes in ecology that promote sustainable ways of living for individuals and communities, leading to responsible environmental policies for institutions.

Social Justice: Recognising the gap between policy, practice and research, Dartington sponsors knowledge-based programmes that strengthen the use of research evidence to improve outcomes for children and adults.

Enterprise: Dartington engages in profitable commercial enterprises that complement and enhance our charitable activities.

The Place: Dartington maintains and renews its estate as a place of beauty, providing support and inspiration for the people and programmes.

Dartington’s Main Aims

Dartington’s mission is to find and nurture innovative solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing society today. To do this, Dartington will continue to develop its 16 charitable programmes in the arts, social justice and sustainability whilst focusing specifically on six key targets in the coming year:

1. Launch five new artistic partnerships to test and showcase the creative potential of Dartington’s Incubator.
2. Highlight the importance of sustainability by initiating three new projects – one educational, one a tangible demonstration and one in the arena of debate.
3. Drive forward the Abundant Life Project, a new form of retirement village for older people, by finalising the business plan.
4. Develop two new initiatives which bring together different areas of our work, fostering links between the arts, sustainability and social justice.
5. Agree an affordable master plan for the estate that fulfils the needs and aspirations of Dartington’s programmes.
6. Take positive steps to ensure long-term financial sustainability by 2012/13.