The Stained Glass Centre

St Martin-cum-Gregory, Micklegate, York.

Stained glass is a beguiling and attractive art-form of enormous value to everyone involved in the world of education as learners or teachers, to visitors to York and the region, to residents keen to know more about their own creative and cultural history, and to those already working with glass.

The Stained Glass Centre will occupy St Martin-cum-Gregory, a beautifully evocative Grade I listed building dating back before the 11th century, ideally situated in York's historic centre. A contemporary yet sensitive adaptation of this medieval jewel will create gallery, workshop and meeting spaces to provide a range of activities for visitors, residents, students, artists and craftspeople.

In so many ways it will represent a gateway: to the worlds of education and learning; to the city and the region; to art, craft and good practice; to the understanding of our own history; to the past and the future; to imagination and pleasure.

The purpose

—The Stained Glass Centre will be a national resource for the discovery and interpretation of stained glass.

—Visitors will be able to participate in, and learn about, craft-skills, arts and industries that continue to play a vital role in the life of the city and region.

—Practitioners from all over the UK will have a national centre of excellence for the study and development of their craft.

—People of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about the historic importance of this beautiful artform as well as helping it to develop and flourish for the 21st century.

—The creation of the Stained Glass Centre in the former church of St Martin cum-Gregory will give new life to one of York’s most beautiful ‘lost’ buildings.