An artist is being sought for a unique commission – the chance to create work inspired by spending a year with Orkney’s farming community.

The Pier Arts Centre’s art and agriculture project has won Lottery funding from the Scottish Arts Council through Partners, Scotland’s artist residency programme.

Now a UK wide search is being launched for an artist interested in taking up the 12-month challenge.

“Art and agriculture are traditionally seen as two very different worlds,” said Andrew Parkinson, the Pier’s exhibitions officer.

“By placing an artist at the heart of Orkney’s farming community, we hope to bridge that gap in a way that inspires some striking new work.

“The artist will follow the farming calendar for a year, getting to know individual farmers, and exploring the important economic, cultural and environmental impact agriculture has on our community.”

The project follows two successful collaborations between the Pier Arts Centre and Orkney Auction Mart.

In 2001, artist Sam Macdonald produced a landmark sculpture that stands outside the mart using salvaged ploughs donated by farmers.

Earlier this year, art students from Orkney College, working to a brief set by the Pier, created proposals specifically for the mart as part of their course.

The new art and agriculture project will involve another close working relationship between the Pier and a centre that lies at the heart of Orkney’s farming community.

“The mart’s support is invaluable,” said Mr Parkinson. “It will have an important role to play in helping the artist in residence engage with local farmers.

“For the artist, this is going to be an exciting and challenging project. We think there will be keen interest from artists, both locally and from across the UK, who will see it as a great opportunity to produce some remarkable new work.”

Mart manager Rob Crichton added: “We’ll do all we can to help the artist get to know farmers and gain an understanding of Orkney’s agricultural industry.

“It’s good that the project will take a year, giving the artist the chance to follow farming through all four seasons, and giving farmers plenty of time to watch the artist’s work in progress.

“If there are barriers between the artistic and agricultural worlds, this should help break them down. The end results will be interesting and, like everyone involved, I’m very much looking forward to seeing them.”

The art and agriculture initiative will form part of Highland 2007, a year long celebration of the culture of the Highlands and Islands. It is one of nine projects, supported by the Partners programme, that focus on Highland 2007.

Iain Munro, head of Lottery at the Scottish Arts Council, said: “Scottish Arts Council National Lottery funds are used to help inspire people and transform their lives.

“These Partners residencies represent an exciting range of opportunities across Scotland for communities and artists to work together to develop their creativity.”

As well as securing financial backing from the Scottish Arts Council the project has attracted funding from Orkney Enterprise through the Leader + programme.

The Pier Arts Centre is due to reopen next year after a £4.5 million redevelopment of its Stromness site.

It is hoped that the artist in residence will be appointed in time to start work in the county early in 2007.

Artists and farmers interested in getting involved should contact Andrew Parkinson at the Pier Arts Centre on 01856 850209.