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FAQs
The Ignite Bursary Programme is designed to support young people in Sunderland (aged 12-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or a disability) who are facing financial hardship or challenging circumstances and want to pursue their artistic talents.
The programme offers bursaries of up to £500 to help cover the costs of resources, training, and opportunities that will aid in their creative development.
The Ignite Bursary Programme is part of a programme called Culture Start, led by Sunderland Culture.
Culture Start is supported by a £1.2m Place Partnership award from Arts Council England through the National Lottery, and generously funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Sir James Knott Trust, The Sir Tom Cowie Fund at the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the Gillian Dickinson Trust.
To be eligible, applicants must live in Sunderland, be aged 12-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or a disability and fulfil at least one of the Essential Criteria or a minimum of two Additional Criteria.
Essential criteria include eligibility for free school meals, living in a low-income household, having a long-term health condition or disability, experience with the care system, or being a young carer.
Additional criteria includes having an Education, Health and Care Plan, being part of a large family, or experiencing extenuating circumstances.
You can see a full list of the criteria in our Application Guide
If you have already received an Ignite bursary, you can apply for further funding to continue to develop your creative skills. You will need to clearly demonstrate how another bursary would help you to improve, so tell us how the money would support and help you. You can get in touch if you would like any help or guidance.
An Ignite Bursary can help you pay for things that will support your creative journey, for example:
- Buying things you need, like supplies, material, tools or software (including musical instruments or art materials)
- Buying equipment, like a camera or tablet*
- Paying for travel to work experience or volunteering opportunities
- Joining workshops, classes, or special training
- Going on trips to performances, shows, or museums (help with tickets, transport or staying overnight)
- Creating or improving your portfolio, video reel, or website
- Renting special spaces like a studio
- Or something else! If you’re not sure, get in touch and check
*please ensure that you have sufficient funds to purchase what you need if the cost of the item you want to buy is over £500
Before completing the Ignite Bursary application form, applicants should read the Application Guide.
The Ignite Bursary application form should be filled in by the young person who is applying for funds, alongside a parent, guardian or carer if they are under 16 (18 if they have SEND).
Applicants over 16 years old can complete the application without a parent, carer or guardian. Supporting documents such as proof of age and address will be needed, and if a bursary offer is made, we will ask for valid UK bank details.
All applicants must provide a referee who can support the application and confirm the young person’s creative passion and interest and provide a reference.
The referee should be someone who knows the applicant well in a professional or educational capacity, such as a teacher, youth worker, or creative professional.
Family members and friends cannot serve as referees.
The referee will be contacted to confirm the details provided in the application.
Once we receive a complete application with proofs of ID, address and reference, the application is reviewed by the Ignite Bursary panel. The panel is made up of individuals from creative organisations, youth organisations, and the Culture Start team.
Decisions are based on the information provided in the application, including the applicant’s passion for their creative interest, how they intend to use the bursary, and their future aspirations.
Successful applicants will get an email to let them know about the outcome of their application by 20 November 2025. We may request more information before a bursary offer is made. Please not, some bursary offers may be less than the amount requested at the direction of the panel.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by w/c 8 December 2025.
If your bursary application is successful we will contact you by email to let you know.
We will ask you (if you’re over 16) or the adult named on your application to complete an acceptance form and supply bank details, which we will verify by phone. You will be asked to supply your phone number and times when we can contact you. All bank details must be verified before any funds are released.
Bursary payments will be then be made by a bank transfer into the verified bank account.
The funds need to be used within 12 months, and we’ll follow up with you during that time to check how the money has been put to use and how it has helped your creative interest.
Please keep paper receipts or screenshots/emails of any purchases you have made with your funds. You don’t need to send these unless asked.
Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback and are encouraged to reapply in the next application cycle.
The Ignite Bursary page will be updated with dates when applications open again.