York Minster launches Talent Awards – commissioning new artworks to celebrate its 1400th anniversary

2027 will see York Minster celebrating the 1400th anniversary of its founding for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in 627AD.

Today, the Minster is working alongside York-based curator Cherie Federico to bring three contemporary artists into the historic building to tell this epic tale anew.

The commissions will form the backdrop to year-long celebrations that will reflect on the Minster’s 14 centuries of unbroken mission, as well as setting a course for its future in a programme that takes its title from the baptismal vows: “With the help of God, we will…”.

The £10,000 Talent Awards provide opportunities for two new and emerging artists to exhibit alongside an established artist in a series of largescale, multidisciplinary installations in some of the most awe-inspiring settings. The two commissions comprise of a Sound Commission, inviting an artist to create an immersive audio experience that resonates within the Minster’s vast, atmospheric spaces, and a Contemporary Art Commission, open to visual and interdisciplinary artists working in sculpture, installation, moving image, digital media, photography and beyond.

The Talent Awards are open to anyone anywhere in the world and are an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing narrative of a space that has stood as a centre of culture, craft, and community for nearly 1,400 years.

York Minster has partnered with Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica and a leading figure in York’s creative community, to commission a bold new artistic response to the cathedral's 1400th anniversary. Aesthetica, one of the UK’s most influential contemporary art and culture platforms, began with its widely read magazine and has since grown into a powerhouse that includes the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival and the Aesthetica Art Prize, which attract talent from across the world. This collaboration marks a significant moment in the Minster’s 1400-year history, uniting heritage with cutting-edge contemporary practice.

The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “No visitor to the Minster leaves without a sense of the artistry that generations have poured into this place. I am delighted to be continuing this great legacy as we explore the moment that marks the start of a person’s journey with Christ – baptism – and the moment that, in a way, marked the start of York Minster. These exciting artistic commissions offer a chance to rediscover, reassess and reassert our mission today through the lens of contemporary art.”

Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, said: “It’s an honour to be working with York Minster as they mark 1400 years of history and faith. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on the Minster’s incredible legacy, but also a way to look ahead and invite new voices to interpret that story in meaningful and contemporary ways. We’re especially interested in how artists can explore themes of water and baptism - powerful symbols of renewal and transformation. These concepts offer rich ground for creative exploration across all disciplines, from sculpture and installation to moving image and digital media.

"We’re looking for bold, innovative artists with fresh perspectives - those who can connect the past with the present in ways that resonate with today’s audiences.

"The selected artist will receive a £10,000 commission and the opportunity to exhibit their work for 10 months inside one of the most iconic spaces in Europe. It’s an extraordinary platform for any artist, and we’re excited to see how contemporary practice can illuminate history, create dialogue and bring new energy into the Minster’s continuing story.”

Artists interested in submitting a response to the brief should go to https://aestheticamagazine.com/york-minster-talent-award-open-for-submissions/ for more information and a link to the application form. The deadline for submissions is 9 June 2025 with the winners announced in late July 2025.