The shrine to three sisters who are among the greatest novelists in English is to take on a new role.

The Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth, is launching itself as a centre for creative arts to reveal how Emily, Anne and Charlotte are still inspiring new works.

It is backed by Bronte fan Germaine Greer, who has agreed to become honorary patron.

She said: "Our ambition is for the Bronte Parsonage Museum to reflect the Brontes' remarkably diverse creative talents and the rich heritage of artistic response to the Brontes."

The project has been sparked by the Illuminate festival, a programme of arts and cultural events taking place in five Yorkshire cities - Bradford, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and York - later this summer.

The museum's contribution will be an exhibition by Turner Prize nominee Cornelia Parker, which will kick-start the museum's Contemporary Arts Programme.

The 50-year-old artist's Brontean Abstracts exhibition, based on artefacts at the museum, kicks off on Saturday, September 16, and runs until Sunday, December 31.

Her exhibits will be displayed in the period rooms of the Parsonage.

Mr McCarthy said: "We want to commission new work, like that of Cornelia Parker, but also encourage local emerging writers and artists to work on special projects inspired by the Brontes.

"It is easy to be a period home, but it can become a mausoleum - we don't want that.

"Obviously the atmosphere of this place will be retained, but we hope it can also inspire new creativity."

There is a chance to talk to Cornelia Parker on Wednesday, September 20, at West Lane Baptist Church, Haworth, when she will chat about her work.

Another five major contemporary arts events will take place over the following five months.

The Parker exhibition is backed by the Illuminate festival, the Esmee Fairburn Foundation and the Henry Moore Foundation.

Cornelia Parker is best known for a number of large-scale installations including Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991) and The Maybe (1995), a collaboration with actress Tilda Swinton, who appeared sleeping inside a glass case.

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk