AN arts link up between St Helens and twin town Chalon Sur Saone will become reality following the Heart of Glass' "most competitive" round of commissions yet.

Prototype Projects is a programme of small developments by artists and creative communities across St Helens. Eleven have received funding following the latest round.

Another Place by duo Yellow Door Artists will build and develop an exchange between St Helens and Chalon to open new creative connections overseas.

Others include a collaboration between a composer and the St Helens Gospel Choir, the St Helens Goes Pop! exhibition by Drunk Wolf, and assistance to ceramicist Briony Machin.

The decision-making panel included World of Glass curator Hannah Longworth, artist Joan Birkett, Ant Shea and Laura Yates, participation manager at The Bluecoat, Liverpool.

Patrick Fox, director of Heart of Glass, said: “This was a really strong round of submissions, and the panel had some tough decisions to make.

"The aim of this commissioning opportunity is to support artists and communities to try something different, to take a risk and potentially open up new opportunities for future working."

Ventures given funding include Projectile Vomit: A Portable Art Installation by Rainford artist Michelle Wren and musician, VJ and multi-sensory artist Simon Jones. It will explore CCTV, humour and colour with a political edge.

The aim is to establish relationships with various artists and organisations embarking on a research visit to France in the autumn, documenting their experiences and conversations through photography, drawing and writing culminating in a joint-exhibition in St Helens.

Sound engineer Ian Driver will research the hidden, underground St Helens music scene, identifying the musicians and songs of local significance.

And Nutgrove photographer Kevin Crooks will produce a new series of work to explore the social and economic impact the M62 motorway has brought to St Helens and beyond.