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A close-up of a child's hands decorating a white styrofoam ball with a brown marker. The ball has a simple face drawn on it, with two black dots for eyes and a stitched mouth. The child's fingers have smudges of marker ink, and they are holding the ball steady with a wooden stick. In the blurred background, art supplies, including red and orange materials, are scattered across a table.
A close-up of a child's hands decorating a white styrofoam ball with a brown marker. The ball has a simple face drawn on it, with two black dots for eyes and a stitched mouth. The child's fingers have smudges of marker ink, and they are holding the ball steady with a wooden stick. In the blurred background, art supplies, including red and orange materials, are scattered across a table.

Projects

Explore a whole range of activity and projects delivered as part of Culture Start

Creative Sparks Clubs

Creative Sparks Clubs

Creative Sparks Clubs are weekly after school sessions for children aged 5-11. The clubs are free and offer a perfect opportunity for children to explore new art forms, learn new skills, boost confidence and make new friends.

Creative Sparks Clubs
Future Creatives
A colourful graphic design with a deep purple background. In the center is a large yellow circle with the words

Future Creatives

Create. Connect. Belong.

Future Creatives is a network and community for young people aged 13-18 who are passionate about creativity and culture.

Future Creatives
Ignite Bursary
A charcoal background with bold green text that reads 'Ignite' with a flame dotting the 'i'. Underneath that is smaller white text that reads 'Your Creative Passion!'

Ignite Bursaries

Our bursary programme is aimed at supporting creative young people in Sunderland who are experiencing hardship or challenging circumstances. It’s a chance to get some financial support to help grow their knowledge, skills – potentially leading to studying creative subjects or even a creative career.

Ignite Bursary
Spring Sparks

Holiday Sparks

During school holidays, Culture Start’s free activities can be found at venues across the city inviting children aged 7-12 to try something new and creative. From puppet-making to DJ’ing, each session is led by artists who work in that area.

Spring Sparks
Poverty Proofing

Poverty Proofing

Children North East (CNE) are working with Culture Start to better understand the experience of families and individuals who are experiencing poverty, and the barriers that may prevent them from getting involved with cultural activities.

Poverty Proofing