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Quality is the first norm for art, but its final norm is love and truth, the enriching of human life, the deepening of our vision.

Christianity and Art

Recommended organizations and websites worldwide

Recommended organizations and websites worldwide

Arsprodeo. Dutch website with contemporary Christian art for churches and individuals of theCNV-Kunstenbond Vakgroep Beeldende Kunst. www.arsprodeo.nl 
 
Art and Christianity. This British organisation studies and promotes the engagement of the visual art with church and theology. 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. Aart 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), London, England. The ACG is a British 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 
 
Asian Christian Art Association, ACAA. In 1978 the Asian Christian Art Association was founded to encourage the visual arts in Asian churches. This association was the result of dialogues between artists and theologians in Asia. Theologians who appreciate the creative mind of the artists have also inspired and helped artists in their theological reflections which are manifest in their paintings sculptures and dances. Conversely, many artists have also inspired theologians to be more creative in their theological thoughts and in their sermons. In the last twenty years, many exhibitions have been held not only in various countries in Asia, but also in Europe, North America and Australia. Members have been assisted to exhibit their works nationally and internationally. https://www.facebook.com/pg/asianchristianart/posts/ 
 
BART, Swiss Journal for Art and God (D). Deals with contemporary art from an open Christian perspective. Introduction of artists and essays about art, society and faith. With an agenda on the website. www.bartmagazin.com 
 
Bildimpuls, Patrik Scherrer, München, Germany.Contemporary visual impulses for the Christian faith.Many artworks have the power to get under our skin and to move us. Every two weeks Bildimpuls discusses one of such artworks, mostly stemming from the past five years. Together they form a valuable archive. On the website a list of current exhibitions, a bibliography and links to organisations and museums in the German speaking world. www.bildimpuls.de
 
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids MI, USA. For the study and renewal of worship. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship aims to promote the scholarly study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities across North America and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary study and ministry center dedicated to both understanding and revitalizing the practice of Christian worship. It has a  website with a wealth of articles, resources, bibliographies etc., also on liturgy and the visual arts. Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
 
Centrum voor Religieuze Kunst en Cultuur, Heverlee, Belgium. Centre for the preservation and documentation of the cultural heritage of the church in Flanders. Extensive website. www.crkc.be
  
Church Art. This British organisation exists to encourage artists, congregations, and those involved in the care of churches to foster and engage the arts in the life of the church. Whether in small rural parishes or in the great cathedral cities, the church is still part of the continuum of support and patronage of the arts. Art can inspire, explain, celebrate and illuminate the Christian faith and, no matter how humbly, reflect the greater glory of God. Website highlights new commissions, gives a lot of info about commissioning artworks, and how to find artists for windows, textiles, fonts, sculptures, murals, wood carving etc. www.churchart.co.uk
 
CIVA, Christians in the Visual Arts, Madison, WI, USA. The vision of CIVA is Serious Art. Serious Faith. CIVA exists to further both of these pursuits. Its mission is best expressed in three primary and longstanding commitments; CIVA and its members are Called to Creative Work, Devoted to the Church, and Present in Culture. A networking organization for visual artists in North America and worldwide, CIVA coordinates traveling exhibits, publishes SEEN Journal two times a year, and holds a regional events and a biennial conference. http://www.civa.org 
 
EKD-Institut für Kirchenbau und kirchliche Kunst der Gegenwart, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany, is a research institute of the Lutheran church that focuses on contemporary art and architecture, religion and aesthetics, church and art. It organises the Ev. Kirchbautage about church architecture and publishes together with the Institut für Kunstwissenschaft in Linz the journal Kunst und Kirche. EKD-Institut für Kirchenbau und kirchliche Kunst der Gegenwart an der Philipps-Universität Marburg
 
Gallery Emmaus in Ringsted, Denmark, has a list of Christian artists. Biblical themes but also landscapes, figurative and abstract. The gallery also advises and sells to churches. www.galleri-emmaus.dk 
 
IAM, International Arts Movement, New York, USA.A catalyst arts organization committed to cultural and spiritual renewal. Its programs support individual artists in their work and embrace the entire arts community. IAM is active in Tokyo and New York City, with affiliations in Orlando, Los Angeles, and London. Its vision: a fusion of creativity and faith that expresses and illustrates God's intimate and merciful identity in the world. Home | IAM Culture Care
 
Image, Seattle, WA, USA. Elaborate website with interviews, articles and a blog of Image,Journal of the Arts and Religion. Image speaks with equal force and relevance to the secular culture and to the church. By finding fresh ways for the imagination to embody religious truth and religious experience, Image challenges believers and non-believers alike. Organizes an annual conference (The Glen Workshop) and publishes a free e-mail newsletter ImageUpdate.   Journal - Image Journal
 
Imago, Toronto, ON. A Canadian arts organization supporting Christians in the arts. Imago aims to engage in promoting artistry of high caliber that will be both enrich and carry positive influence on the Canadian cultural landscape. Imago is committed to participating with artists and those interested in the arts to do all it can to facilitate a thoughtful and practical program of support for the arts in Canada. With an online E-magazine. Imago Arts (imago-arts.org)
 
Narthex is an extensive French website devoted to the sacred arts, religious heritage and contemporary works of art. Information about all of the arts: architecture, sculpture, painting, music, literature, film. www.narthex.fr 
 
Protetantisme et Images. A French association of art historians, artists, theologians and art lovers in the Protestant churches. Organises exhibitions, lectures and courses. The website contains a lot of information. www.protestantismeetimages.com
 
Das Rad, München, Germany. Christian organisation for professional artists in all forms of art, founded in 1979 after the example of the Arts Centre Group in the UK. www.dasrad.org
 
Stiftung St. Matthäus, St. Matthäus -Kirche, Matthäikirchplatz, Berlin, Germany. Aims to encourage the engagement with contemporary art and the dialogue between artists, the church and theology. This is the art and culture foundation of the Lutheran church of Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz. The activities of the foundation take place especially at the St. Matthäus-Kirche and the Dom island in Brandenburg. Lectures and exhibitions. Every last Thursday of the month: Discussion of one work of art led by an art historian and a theologian. www.stiftung-stmatthaeus.de
 
St. Lukasgesellschaft für Kunst und Kirche, Switzerland. Large Swiss ecumenical organisation for visual artists, architects, theologians, art historians, etc. Publishes journal Forum Kunst und Kirche. Links to websites of many artists and organisations. www.lukasgesellschaft.ch 
 
Transpositions, St. Andrews, Scotland, is the official blog of the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St Andrews. Website, daily email and blog. Transpositions’ goal is to create conversations between Christian theology and the arts. www.transpositions.co.uk