The Christian Arts Trust was set up in 1981 by Ronald Mann of Westminster Productions, together with the support of a few financiers, to provide a unique opportunity for artists with Christian faith to develop new ideas and projects. The small capital fund that resulted has, since then, made provision for a great many Christian dramatists, dancers, sculptors, musicians, writers, fine artists, performers and the like to be able to originate works which otherwise would not have seen the light of day.
The small ‘seed corn’ grants that CAT make available, enable artists to take time to see the genesis of an idea take flesh. The Trustees recognise the vital encouragement that such modest funding can provide. In the many years since 1981 some remarkable, life-changing works have resulted. Quite often the effect of this funding is long lasting, with artists finding that they might never have got going professionally without the help of the trust.
Projects which CAT has helped get off the ground have varied enormously and are multifarious in nature:
- A jazz celebration of the Easter story
- A series of large scale paintings in Blackburn Cathedral
- A musical about 17th century Scottish Covenanters
- The instillation of wayside shrines in a contemporary idiom
- Youth theatre for young people from socially deprived areas
- Biblical storytelling initiatives
- Urban street dance
- Screenplays and book manuscripts etc.
These examples represent a very small selection of the wide scale of projects that CAT has supported over the years.
Hundreds of thousands of people all over the UK have been affected by the positive, challenging and entertaining actions of artists whose passion is to see the many aspects of faith placed in the spotlight. The sheer scale of the intrigue, fascination, absorption and questioning that has flowed from such arts initiatives is incalculable.
Watch this video to find out more about our work
Find out about our criteria and how to apply for a grant here
Our home page painting, Coracle fishermen on the Teifi, is by Deborah Withey
