Prize for new art in churches

The prize, generously funded by The Jerusalem Trust, is to be awarded for the best developed proposal for commissioning a new work of art in their church. The purpose of the prize is to reward an excellently prepared proposal and not to judge and fund a particular artwork.

A commission may take any of the following forms:

• Creative textile
• Metalwork
• Sculpture
• Installation using mixed media
• Painting
• Glass

The essential criterion will be the requirement to use the process outlined in the Council's guidance on "Commissioning New Art for Churches", which is attached and can also be downloaded from www.churchcare.co.uk. The guide, richly illustrated with examples of recent commissions throughout England, has been developed through wide consultation. It includes details on what parishes should consider, how to write briefs and commission and choose artists as well as the legal framework. The Church of England hopes that the guide will make parishes realise that commissioning artwork - both permanent and temporary - can be very straightforward and rewarding.

The competition has two stages:

Stage 1 - Expression of Interest - Deadline: 31 January 2012
Interested parishes are invited to download the Guidelines from www.churchcare.co.uk and to submit a written Expression of Interest in working up a full submission for Stage 2. The Expression of Interest must be submitted on the attached form by 31 January 2012. The rationale of each submission in the "Commission Proposal" section of the application will then be ‘long-listed' in February 2012, after which successful applicants will be invited to work up their proposal in detail while continuing to use the Guidelines.

Stage 2 - Final Submission - Deadline 1 October 2012
Parishes on the long list will be required to submit worked-up ideas using the guidelines by 1 October 2012. The Final Submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel, which will look for evidence to see whether full consultation with the relevant Diocesan Advisory Committee and other stakeholders has happened effectively and in detail. The judges will aim to visit the shortlisted parishes to meet the commissioning group and view the proposed site for the new artwork. The overall winner will be notified in November 2012.

For further information parishes and DACs are invited to contact Diana Coulter, the Divisional Support Officer in the Cathedral & Church Buildings Division on 020 7898 1860 or diana.coulter@churchofengland.org. The form, these notes and the Guidelines may be downloaded from our website: www.churchcare.co.uk.

Download further information at http://goo.gl/I1fpx