Faith and the Arts website launched

Arts Council England - leading the way on faith and the arts

Arts Council England and its partners are launching a new website, Faith and the Arts www.faithandthearts.com, which explores the relationship between religion and culture, a subject of much debate as reflected in recent high profile events. The site is part of the Arts Council’s wider work on faith and diversity.

The debate surrounding the recent religious hatred bill, the events surrounding the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and the controversy surrounding the plays Behzti and Jerry Springer – The Opera, have all recently highlighted sensitivities around the representation of faith within the arts.

Faith and the Arts provides an overview of faith beliefs and practices for artists and producers. Offering a guide to seven UK faith communities (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Rastafari and Sikhism), the website explores the impact of faith on programming, audience development and accessible venues.

The website will also contain case studies and aims to provide guidance around the differences between religious practice as determined by schools of faith, and cultural practices which are not determined by religious text. The site also contains a contact directory along with information around how faith relates to venues and funding.

The site has been developed in partnership with ABi Associates, Fund House Consulting and Working Broadband GB, as well as representatives from faith communities.
Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said, “The relationship between faith and the arts has never been more to the fore of public debate. The Faith and the Arts website is an important resource which will offer a greater understanding of religious practices and which, we hope, will stimulate a dialogue between the arts and religious communities. The website underlines the Arts Council’s commitment to diversity and is part of our wider work to increase cultural diversity within the arts.”