A continuing aim of the Chaplaincy is to encourage parishes with potential commissions to cast their net ever wider in their search for appropriate artists. There are many talented artists who are currently unlikely to be considered. An initial joint project with Northern Arts, the Crafts Council and the Arts Council of England provided design fees for possible commissions from six parishes. Hopefully this might either encourage a parish to consider undertaking a commission or perhaps make it possible for a parish to make progress on an idea which they were already considering for a commission.

Six artists have been chosen to work with six interested parishes (one artist with each parish). An essential qualification was that none of the artists has, to date, received a commission from a church. In consultation with the parish, each artist has produced a design and been paid a design fee through project funds. Whilst it is hoped that each parish might be willing to take the matter further and proceed with a commission to realise the work, this is not a precondition to involvement. Financial pressures can make this difficult for a parish - though, of course, a compelling design can often attract additional grants or funds to help a parish complete the exercise.

The designs are for an altar frontal, a glass pulpit cross, a church notice board, a glass/slate bowl and jug with inscription for a font, an etched glass screen and a stained glass window. It is hoped that the quality of the designs will encourage each parish to fund fabrication and that the index of artists for church commissions will be increased. A publication will outline the procedure, illustrate the work and explain why parishes have or have not decided to proceed to fabrication.

The project should be of great value to both Church and artists, promoting understanding and dialogue between them and, hopefully, encouraging exciting new collaborations and commissions.

For further information contact Bill Hall