The group that eventually became CHAPS was first proposed in early 2001 in a meeting between Dr Tony Wright MP, Councillor Bob Todd, Chairman of Cannock Chase District Council and Michael Mellor, local businessman and President of the Rotary Club of Cannock when they discussed ways of celebrating the local heritage through public art.
These founding members invited individuals representing key organisations and local services to volunteer to support its ambitions and the group adopted a formal constitution in 2003. Its mission was to support and encourage public arts projects, with an initial focus on representing the area's coal mining heritage.
CHAPS is proud that its purpose still remains relevant after all these years; still retaining the commitment of its original core and co-opted member organisations to this day.