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Groups of people sit at long wooden tables talking amongst one another with coffees, large sheets of paper and pens. The room has bare concrete walls and a yellow beam through the middle. At the back is a plywood wall that has large black text on it reading 'Hunger Melody Decency'.
Groups of people sit at long wooden tables talking amongst one another with coffees, large sheets of paper and pens. The room has bare concrete walls and a yellow beam through the middle. At the back is a plywood wall that has large black text on it reading 'Hunger Melody Decency'.

Unlock

Since 2018, our Unlock programme has worked to grow Sunderland’s cultural infrastructure, offering support for established and emerging creative practitioners and businesses. The programme has had many iterations over the years, from training sessions and support grants, to mentoring and networking.

Unlock: Creative Industries Support Programme

Building on the success of previous Unlock programmes, we are pleased to announce a new phase of support for 2026-27 – Unlock: Creative Industries Support Programme.

Launching for 2026, the Unlock: Creative Industries Support Programme is an exciting new strand of the Unlock project.

Forming part of Sunderland City Council’s Business Support Programme and funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement, the programme has been created to help Sunderland’s creative sector grow.

Designed for established independent creative practitioners, businesses and organisations, the programme offers a range of financial and non-financial opportunities to support business development.

The programme includes:

  • Unlock Creative Development Grant: up to £5,000 grant to support development of their business or indirect safeguarding of jobs
  • Unlock: Creative business mentoring: accessing targeted mentoring support by industry experts in areas that will support business growth
  • Enterprise growth support: offering access to a tailored programme of networking activities, workshops and specialist advice.

To apply for the Unlock Creative Development Grant, visit Unlock: Creative Development Grant – Application Form

Deadline for applications: Monday 27th July, 9am

For any queries about the programme, please contact: unlock@sunderlandculture.org.uk

Unlock: Creative Development Grant - Application Form

Step 1 of 5

Company Information

Contact name(Required)
Registered address(Required)
Please note: to be eligible for the Unlock: Creative Industries Support Grant your business must be registered within Sunderland City Council Local Authority. Contact unlock@sunderlandculture.org.uk if you need to check your eligibility.
Trading address (if different to above)
How many people did you employ (AWU) in the last approved accounting period (across the whole organisation)?(Required)
The number of employees is measured as annual working units (AWU) – that is, full-time equivalents (FTE) for one year, with part-time and seasonal workers as fractions of AWU, based on the last approved accounting period. Turnover and balance sheet total thresholds also use the last approved 12-month accounting period. For newly established enterprises whose accounts have not been approved, the thresholds are based on reliable estimates made during the financial year.
What is the legal status of your organisation? (If necessary, tick more than one box)(Required)
What future support would you be interested in to further the development of your organisation?
Are you interested in additional business support or further information from Sunderland City Council?
I consent to my contact details being held by Sunderland City Council for the purpose of marketing future support and training provision.(Required)

Unlock forms part of Sunderland City Council’s Business Support Programme and is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement.

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