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In a brightly lit dance studio with wooden floors, several people are practicing a routine. In the foreground, a young person in a white graphic t-shirt, light blue shorts, and white trainers is captured mid-movement with one leg lifted. Behind them, two other people follow the same steps, including one person in a dark grey t-shirt and black shorts. The background is slightly blurred, showing a table and white walls.
In a brightly lit dance studio with wooden floors, several people are practicing a routine. In the foreground, a young person in a white graphic t-shirt, light blue shorts, and white trainers is captured mid-movement with one leg lifted. Behind them, two other people follow the same steps, including one person in a dark grey t-shirt and black shorts. The background is slightly blurred, showing a table and white walls.

In Focus: Impact and evaluation

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Culture Start evaluation is undertaken by the Institution of Economic and Social Inclusion and seeks to address three core research questions:

What is the impact of culture on children and young people with lived experience of poverty or financial disadvantage?

How does effectively embedding the delivery of cultural activities in communities across Sunderland create change?

How effective is the partnership and delivery model as a way of securing this change in a way that lasts into the future?

The six golden threads

Building confidence

Regular participation in creative activity helps young people grow in confidence over time. As they become familiar with artists, youth workers and creative environments, they feel more comfortable expressing themselves and trying new things.

Developing supportive relationships

Culture Start creates opportunities for young people to build positive relationships with trusted adults and creative professionals, while also strengthening peer connections.

Activities delivered through community partners allow young people to meet artists and creatives in familiar environments, helping them feel part of a wider creative community.

Opportunities for fun, creativity and encouragement

Creative Sparks clubs and holiday programmes provide welcoming spaces where children can experiment with art forms such as drama, music, animation and crafts.

Many activities introduce new art forms where no one has prior experience, creating an encouraging and “level playing field” where everyone can take and contribute.

“Culture Start is not just ‘doing art’; it is systematically building the protective infrastructure (social capital, self-regulation, and aspiration) that the literature identifies as necessary to mitigate the pervasive ‘life-course risks’ of growing up in poverty in this area of the North East.”

The Institute for Economic and Social Inclusion Year 1 Culture Start Evaluation, 2025

Managing challenges and problem-solving

Creative activities encourage persistence, experimentation and problem-solving. Young people regularly encounter practical and creative challenges during sessions, developing resilience and focus as they work through them.

Peer support during activities also helps participants build confidence in tackling new tasks and ideas.

Sense of accomplishment and achievement

Completing creative work – from artwork and zines to film and performances – gives young people a strong sense of pride and achievement.

Evaluators recorded visible excitement and pride when participants shared their work with peers, leaders and family members.

Developing aspirations

Through workshops, mentoring and industry encounters, Culture Start introduces young people to the wide range of opportunities within the creative and cultural sectors.

For some participants, including Ignite Bursary recipients, these experiences have supported applications to further education, university and creative career pathways.

Social value

Using the Social Value Engine methodology, the estimated social value created through Culture Start engagement to date is £4.97 million, reflecting outcomes such as increased confidence, wellbeing and community participation.

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