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Art Alive in Churches (AAiC) exists to demonstrate to visitors the wealth of heritage arts and crafts in the churches of East Anglia and their historic European links. With a series of annual projects it aims to build an accessible archive of information about church heritage and specific arts and crafts with links to the current day. Since its inception in 2008, AAiC has run long weekends of exhibitions and demonstrations in Norfolk churches on particular themes relating to the church buildings and their artefacts. AAiC has also incorporated two other projects into its work portfolio; the East Anglian Wall Paintings Database and the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey. https://www.frh-europe.org/art-alive-in-churches-english-churches-show-off-their-brillance/
L’Abri, The Manor House, Greatham, Hampshire. Residential centre for study and debate on current Christian issues with a strong emphasis on art and culture. https://www.englishlabri.org/
Art and Christianity. Studies and promotes the engagement of the visual arts with church and theology. Has been formed to respond to the evident need for a forum in which the rapidly growing numbers of those interested in the encounter between the arts (especially the visual arts) and Christianity can share their interests, projects and concerns. They include artists interested in deepening their theological understanding, theologians and clergy interested in viewing the arts in a Gospel or theological perspective, and lay people with a non-specialist interest in both areas of all mainline Christian traditions. Art and Christianity aims to be a network linking people with these interests, as well as a pressure group seeking to improve training of clergy and of church people in general, an organiser of events of specialist and general interest and a resource centre. On the website the Ecclesiart section, a project to map significant works of modern (post 1920) and contemporary art in UK churches and cathedrals. http://www.artandchristianity.org
Arts Centre Group (ACG), The Courtyard, 59 Portobello Rd., London. The ACG is an association of Christians professionally involved in the world of the arts, media and entertainment who seek to integrate their faith with their artistic activities. The ACG aims to unite and support Christian artists and performers from various disciplines so that they can be a transforming influence in the world of arts, media and entertainment. Members are from many diverse Christian church backgrounds. The ACG offers publications, meetings, workshops and events which seek to support and encourage its members to be fully professional, fully creative and fully Christian. www.artscentregroup.org.uk
Catholic Creators UK is for Catholic artists across the UK. We aim to unite our faith with our art for the glory of God by sharing our work, ideas and aspirations; discussing the role of Catholic art and artists in the Church and in society; spreading the word about Catholic artistic events. Welcome to get involved, whether you're a musician, actor, writer, producer, graphic designer, fine artist, film-maker, architect or from any other artistic sphere. https://www.facebook.com/pg/CatholicCreators/
The Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, University of York, is an initiative which seeks to explore and explain one of the most important influences on art, music, history, literature and architecture. The Centre, which supports teaching and research, produces books and innovative interactive resources, and works with partners to create interpretation schemes for important historic churches, is located in the Humanities Research Centre at the University of York. www.christianityandculture.org.uk
Christian Art offers a unique approach to daily Gospel readings. Each day, we select a work of art relevant to the day’s scripture passage and offer a short written reflection on the two. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the art world and the Catholic Church to facilitate a magnificent pairing of art and the Christian Faith. Christian Art and the Gospel | London, UK | ChristianArt.Today
Christian Arts is an ecumenical organisation embracing Christian artists of all denominations in the UK and abroad. the membership reflects a wide range of artistic interest and disciplines. Some artists work overtly with Christian themes - others work to broader themes but their Christian faith and world view underpins their practice. Christian Arts started as the UK branch of S.I.A.C. www.christianartists.org.uk
Christian Arts Trust. A charitable trust for the encouragement, promotion and development of public appreciation in those arts which are essentially consistent with the Christian faith and have as their primary purpose the propagation of Christian truths and ideals. https://christianartstrust.org/
Christians in Architecture and Planning (CAP) encourages and helps all Christians engaged professionally in the practice or teaching of Architecture, Urban Design, Land Use and Transportation Planning to examine their profession and theories from a Christian standpoint. Publishing a newsletter three times per year. Organises networking and prayer support through the Internet and other media, seminars on topical and professional issues; runs Planning and Architectural Theory Groups. www.capsite.org.uk/caphome1.htm
Church Care is the Church of England's national resource, supporting all those in parishes, dioceses and cathedrals caring for their buildings. It is the comprehensive source of information for everyone managing a church building. Most advice on ChurchCare also applies to other denominations. Also about commissioning new art to enhance church buildings. Whatever the date of your church, a new work of art will, by its very nature, become the heritage of the future, be it a stained glass window, a sculpture, a textile, a painting, liturgical furniture and furnishings or other installation. http://www.churchcare.co.uk/
Churches Conservation Trust. We are the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. We’ve saved over 340 special buildings which attract more than 1.5 million visitors a year. With our help and with your support they are kept open, in use and free to all – living once again at the heart of their communities. Our estate is the largest single collection of historic churches in the country, ranging from the virtually untouched medieval in idyllic rural settings, to ornately impressive Victorian in busy town centres. It includes ten challenging inner urban churches, which will need new uses and significant funds to survive. https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/
commission4mission exists to encourage the commissioning and placing of contemporary Christian art in churches, as a means of fundraising for charities and as a mission opportunity for churches. http://commissionformission.blogspot.com
Ecclesiological Society. For those interested in churches and their architecture in the UK, but also with links to churches and art in many countries. www.ecclsoc.org
The Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association is a learned Society, founded in 1872 as the Ecclesiastical Surveyors Association, to promote good standards of design and repair of ecclesiastical buildings, be they churches, chapels, halls, parsonage houses or similar buildings, across all denominations. www.easanet.co.uk
Freeform Arts, Oxford. This is a group of Christ-following artists in the Oxford area that is trying to create a community of like-minded people who want to engage creatively, sensitively and intelligently with all matters of faith, life and the arts. http://freeformarts.wordpress.com/
Greenbelt Festivals, The Greenhouse, All Hallows on the Wall, 83 London Wall, London. An annual UK Christian arts festival with seminars, music and arts. Greenbelt promotes an annual Christian arts festival which explores and celebrates the Christian Gospel in relation to contemporary culture. Occasional arts events and lectures. www.greenbelt.org.uk
Historic Chapels Trust (HCT) was established in 1993 to take into ownership redundant chapels and other places of worship in England which are of outstanding architectural importance and historic interest. The object is to secure their preservation, repair and maintenance for public benefit, including contents, burial grounds and ancillary buildings. Buildings of all denominations and faiths can be taken into care with the exception of Anglican churches which are eligible for vesting in the Churches Conservation Trust of the Church of England. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/
International Society for Religion, Literature and Culture (ISRLC) The Society has international connections including close links with the American Academy of Religion, and groups and societies in Canada, France, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia, Japan and Korea. It also maintains close links with the Centre for the Study of Literature, Theology and the Arts in the University of Glasgow. The ISRLC exists to promote the study of literature, religion, and the arts through its newsletter, its website and its contacts throughout the world with groups and societies with similar interests. www.gla.ac.uk/esrla/index.html
The Lodge Studio: gallery, courses, talks and refreshment weeks at the home of David and Ali Thistlethwaite near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, offers a unique and inspiring setting for creative work. www.artinthecountry.co.uk
Methodist Art Collection of Modern Christian Art. The Collection includes more than 40 works by Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink and many other renowned artists. The collection can be borrowed and works are available for exhibitions. https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/life-and-faith/the-methodist-modern-art-collection/
Morphe Arts is a network of artists, writers, designers and performers. We offer free mentoring for recent art graduates and host monthly arts events. There are Morphe Arts groups in London, Scotland and Wales. www.morphearts.org
PassionArt. PassionArt explores the relationship between faith and art, encouraging and discovering ways that creativity, art and faith impact our everyday lives. The PassionArt Trail encourages renewed dialogue between the artist and the church, extending both the gallery and sacred space by creating opportunity for artist and public to engage in non-gallery locations to explore themes related to universal human experience and spiritual journey. PassionArt also runs creative retreats and art and prayer workshops. passionarttrail.co.uk/
Religion and Collections is dedicated to the care and interpretation of religious collections – in museums, places of worship, faith organisations, schools and elsewhere. https://religioncollections.wordpress.com/
Seeds Creatives offers a unique blend of creative enterprise, collaborative experience and pastoral flair within Christian and secular networks. As ‘spiritual midwives’, we deliver a tailored palette of tools, resources and partnerships to optimise opportunities for creatives (in the media, arts, entertainment and fashion industries), innovators, inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs of all types to find inspiration and support on their paths, as individual artists and visionaries and in collaboration with others. https://seedscreatives.org/
Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is an arts organisation based in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne. SAW operates on the intersection of contemporary art, theological reflection and community activism. As both an arts space and a project of the Methodist Church, it is committed to understanding how these three spheres can speak, interact and learn from each other. SAW believes art and creativity are integral parts of human life, and with art’s unique ability to articulate, question and enquire, we can enact positive change in our communities and the world. Shieldfield Art Work’s broad programme includes developing high quality art exhibitions, events, workshops, conferences and publications. https://www.saw-newcastle.org
Society for Catholic Artists. The Society of Catholic Artists is for those engaged as professional or amateurs in the various disciplines of the visual arts. Our membership includes painters, stone and metal sculptors, architects, stained glass artists, silversmiths, potters, iconographers, and more. The S.C.A. encourages high standards in church art. We are prepared to execute any decorative or sacred work, and we bring together Catholic Artists and interested laymen in spiritual fellowship and collaboration. The Regional Group, which enjoys participation in national and international exhibitions and conferences, meets monthly for a varied programme of events, discussion and support. Membership is open not only to practising Catholic artists, and artists with Catholic affiliations, but also all Catholics interested in the visual arts. www.catholicartists.co.uk/index.html
UCCF. Works with students and college Christian Unions.The art section is called Morphe Arts (see under Morphe Arts). The website brings together a lot of good articles. www.bethinking.org/culture-worldview/
All Nations Christian College, Christian College offering arts-based modules. All Nations is an international cross-cultural mission training college in the UK which recognises the importance of the creative arts in missions. Over the last years the college has delivered a series of innovative arts modules which are integrated in to the BA Hons Degree programme in Biblical and Intercultural Studies. The arts modules are streamlined in to the areas of music, performing arts and the visual arts. At every level they are integrated in to the learning experience alongside personal development, Biblical studies, cross-cultural awareness and practical ministry skills. In the area of performing arts, we offer performing arts in context and performing arts in practice modules, engaging in contemporary issues through performance and learning skills of teaching and facilitating workshops. In the area of music and worship we offer world worship music and ethnomusicology modules which explore global forms of worship. In the area of the visual arts we study contemporary art forms alongside western culture and examine the relationship between art, culture and identity. Our courses are externally validated by the Open University. Some of our modules can be accessed as short courses. http://www.allnations.ac.uk
ASK, Centre for Arts and the Sacred at King’s, is a centre at King’s College, London, for research, teaching and public education in relation to the role of religion in the arts, and the role of the arts in religion. The focus on the arts is broad, and not limited to the visual arts alone. We look at questions of architecture and urban space as well as literature, music, film, dance and theatre. Our focus on the sacred is intended to ensure as rich an interdisciplinary set of engagements as possible, not prematurely foreclosing discussions when they do not obviously relate to one or more of the established religious traditions. Masters in Christianity and the Arts. Ben Quash Professor of Christianity and the Arts. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/trs/staff/bq.html (E)
The Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, University of York, is an initiative which seeks to explore and explain one of the most important influences on art, music, history, literature and architecture. The Centre, which supports teaching and research, produces books and innovative interactive resources, and works with partners to create interpretation schemes for important historic churches, is located in the Humanities Research Centre at the University of York. www.christianityandculture.org.uk (E)
G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture, 6a King Street in Jericho, Oxford, formerly the Centre for Faith & Culture, has been the custodian of the Chesterton Library. Numerous researchers have come to do research in the archive. The Center's research is intended to contribute to the renewal of Christian culture and education. Apart from its Chesterton-related work, and the hosting of American students, the Centre edits and publishes the international journal Second Spring. The Centre also represents the UK outreach programme of Thomas More College in New Hampshire and is linked to the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. https://www.shu.edu/chesterton/ (E)
King's College London, Department of Theology & Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts & Humanities. One of the longest established Theology departments in the country, King's TRS is a centre of excellence and innovation in the study of religion across disciplines – from Social and Political Sciences to Theology and Biblical Studies, and from Philosophy and Ethics to Religious Studies and the Arts. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/trs/about
Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture (OCCC). The concern of Regent’s Park College (Baptist College) to make connections between Christian faith and society today underpins all its activities, but finds special focus in the Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture (OCCC). This institute provides research opportunities for scholars, and brings together practitioners and artists to reflect upon the place of faith and spirituality in their various fields. It promotes research into the nature of contemporary culture, from 'popular' culture such as film and the novel, to the culture which shapes such professional areas as law and science. The Centre provides lecture series each term, as well as conferences and publications addressing the arts and sciences and their relationship to the Christian and other religious traditions. The Centre also offers Postgraduate Studentships to research students in Oxford who are working in areas where faith and culture interact. https://www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/research-life/oxford-centre-christianity-culture/ (E)
Sarum College, Salisbury. Theological College with Centre for Theology, Imagination & Culture. Offers MA Theology, Imagination & Culture. At Sarum College, we are laying the foundation to realise our vision of becoming an international centre for liturgy, worship and the arts. Alongside postgraduate research and studies in these areas, the College is planning to set up seminars with architects, musicians and artists who are interested in studying the connections between these disciplines and Christian theology and worship. Annual Liturgy and the Arts Conference and permanent and temporary art exhibitions. www.sarum.ac.uk (E)
St Mellitus College, London, Theology & the Arts. Dr Sara Schumacher is Academic Dean and Tutor and Lecturer in Theology & the Arts. Sara studied at the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (University of St Andrews) and completed a doctorate on contemporary church patronage of the visual arts. https://stmellitus.ac.uk/staff/dr-sara-schumacher
University of York. The University of York together with the Churches Conservation Trust created a new (2020) postgraduate programme titled 'Parish Church Studies: Heritage, History, and Fabric'. The online program aims to provide a better understanding of the changing nature of Parish Churches. https://www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/studying/programmespecifications/postgraduate/2016/cll/PG%20Diploma%20in%20Parish%20Church%20Studies%20Heritage,%20History%20and%20Fabric%202016.pdf
Agnoscis Journal has been started by artists associated with Morphē Arts. The journal will primarily publish critical writing about the specific practices of contemporary artists, alongside research-based experimental writing which seeks to unveil the theological within contemporary art theory and practice. Agnoscis Journal (E)
Art and Christianity (E), the quarterly journal of Art + Christianity.Twenty pages of features, exhibition and book reviews, news and comment on the latest from the combined field of art and religious faith. Journal — Art+Christianity (artandchristianity.org) (E)
The Big Picture is the magazine of The Kirby Laing centre of Public Theology in Cambridge. It is available as an online magazine and in print. It features regular articles on the arts. The Big Picture - The Kirby Laing Centre (E)
The Journal of Stained Glass (E). Produced annually by the British Society of Master Glass Painters to publish and promote research in stained glass. The Journal's interdisciplinary approach to all aspects of stained glass has made it a valuable resource for historians, students and anyone with an interest in the medium as well as for designers, craft workers and conservators. Featuring wide-ranging articles by recognized experts in the field of stained glass, each issue includes a provocative guest editorial and sections on: the history of stained glass; research and methodology; contemporary practice; and technical inquiry, as well as reports on stained glass at auction, prizes and awards, exhibitions, conferences, obituaries, and a comprehensive book review section. The Journal of Stained Glass is the only English-language publication to cover all of these subjects in depth. The scope is increasingly international, with recent articles from or about England, Iceland, Canada, Poland, Ireland, Australia and the United States. www.bsmgp.org.uk/Publications/The_Journal_of_Stained_Glass.htm (E)
Material Religion (E), the journal of objects, art and belief, is an international, peer-reviewed journal which seeks to explore how religion happens in material culture: images, devotional and liturgical objects, architecture and sacred space, works of arts and mass-produced artefacts. No less important than these material forms are the many different practices that put them to work. Ritual, communication, ceremony, instruction, meditation, propaganda, pilgrimage, display, magic, liturgy and interpretation constitute many of the practices whereby religious material culture constructs the worlds of belief. Material Religion: Vol 17, No 5 (Current issue) (tandfonline.com) (E)
MONK (E) is an international arts magazine exploring creativity and spirituality. Founded in 2018 it aims to be an inner space online, a devotion to the creative human spirit and its energetic relationship to the transcendent. In MONK’S imaginarium we showcase new paintings, fiction, podcasts, interviews, essays and more, with reflection, humility and an enquiring spirit on the phenomenological mysteries of the imagination. http://monk.gallery/
Second Spring, Journal of Faith and Culture (E), published by the Centre for Faith & Culture in Oxford. This Centre (Catholic) has for the last ten years been the custodian of the Chesterton Library. Apart from its Chesterton-related work, the Centre edits and publishes the international journal Second Spring. www.secondspring.co.uk (E)