Sputnik is a network of artists who identify as Christian, but don’t make ‘Christian art’.
All around the UK and beyond, Sputnik artists are making art that enriches us all, making art that is full blooded, that is honest, and that can help heal our divided culture. We want to cheer them on, support them and help other Christians get involved in the fun too.
Sputnik began as a Catalyst Network project, but we work with artists and churches of every denomination and culture.
Want to know more? We have an ongoing Broadcast series (particularly aimed at church leaders) called Releasing Artists to Renew Culture, here. We also co-host a podcast called Faith in the Arts which delves deeper into the intersection between those two worlds.
Are you an Artist?
Sputnik supports Christians who make art for people outside of the church. We do this in two main ways.
We connect Christian artists together, to help them find allies, cheerleaders and collaborators along the often lonely road of being an artist of faith. See ways to connect here.
We fund them through our grants scheme, through which we provide £500 micro-grants for self initiated projects, community projects and artist development. Find out more here.
“An inspiring day, opened my eyes to the power of art in an broken society.”
— Artist response to one of our Sputnik Saturdays events
“Having a grant felt like permission to do my work. It was the affirmation I needed to keep going.”
— Laura, fine artist and receiver of a Sputnik grant
“Beyond the practical support it also meant a lot to feel seen, to know that someone believed in what we were doing and recognised its value… Receiving the grant was a real boost; it reminded us that what we’re creating is relevant, good quality and worth investing in. We’re so grateful, it gave the project not just resources but a real sense of validation and encouragement. Thank you!”
— Katie, dancer with Eek & Wild
Are you a church leader?
We know that many church leaders want to engage more fruitfully with the arts and support the artists in their church communities. We help by providing resources to help think through the intersection of art and faith and by making ourselves available to church leaders who want to enter into this conversation.
“Jonny Mellor is a visionary Christian leader and artist whose passion for integrating faith and creativity has birthed this fantastic course for Christians and leaders who want to engage with the arts. His unwavering commitment to supporting artists has made such a difference to our movement of churches and I know you will be encouraged and challenged and your communities enriched as you engage with this course.”
— Simon Holley
“Releasing Artists to Renew Culture is the firework of support that Christian artists have been waiting for. Not only do the videos provide a Biblical framework to encourage artists to keep going amidst the unique challenges of the industry, but it also provokes church leaders to think afresh about their support and engagement with artists within their congregations and wider community. This [course] will provide an invaluable resource for churches and creative communities to explore God’s design for the role of the arts within His world.”
— Matt Waldock
Do you want to make a difference by helping more Christians to create powerful artwork that engages with their local communities and wider culture?
We’d love to get you in on the action! On this website and through our social media, you’ll come across Christian artists from all sorts of disciplines making fantastic work, serving their communities with their talents and skills, and seeking to represent Jesus through what they make and how they make it. Check them out and support what they’re doing.
And if you’d like to become a patron of Christian artists to encourage them, support them and ensure that more Jesus followers are being salt and light in the arts in the UK, our patronage scheme is just what you’re looking for.