Skip to main content

Its Starts With Culture

A Culture Start advocacy event.

On Monday 23rd March 2026 partners, policymakers, and funders joined us at the Sheepfolds Stables for ‘It Starts with Culture’ – a celebration and reflection of Culture Start.

Featuring a keynote from Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, the event shared insights and learning from Culture Start — a three-year programme working to ensure access to culture is not shaped by income, postcode or circumstance.

We shared case studies from children and young people who have taken part in the Culture Start programme, some amazing artistic contributions from our Creative Sparks clubs, and a powerful film created by the students from Sunderland College about what culture means to them.

Event Recap

Our Impact
Two young people stand together, smiling and looking toward something out of frame. The person on the left has long, vibrant magenta hair, wears a black graphic t-shirt under a black leather-style jacket, and a plaid skirt. The person on the right has long brown hair and wears a light grey long-sleeved top and blue jeans, carrying a black tote bag. Both are wearing lanyards with ID badges. In the blurred background, another person in a black t-shirt and a person in a blue shirt are partially visible.

Case Studies and Impact Report

As part of our event, we commissioned five case studies that explore the impacts our project has had on the lives of young people and their parents in Sunderland. Visit the link below to see the case studies and read our Year 2 Impact Report.

Our Impact

Event Images

People stand and sit around a bright event space, networking near display boards and Culture Start banners while a musician performs in the background.
Zoom picture 1 of 15
A woman with blonde hair and glasses gestures while speaking during a group discussion at a table.
Zoom picture 2 of 15
Four people pose for a group photo between Creative Sparks Club and Future Creatives banners.
Zoom picture 3 of 15
Two women sit at a table in conversation during the event, with one smiling in a purple blazer while the other gestures as she speaks.
Zoom picture 4 of 15
An older man is interviewed by a reporter holding a bright orange Spark! microphone.
Zoom picture 5 of 15
A woman in a purple blazer speaks into a handheld microphone while standing among seated attendees.
Zoom picture 6 of 15
A panelist in a dark jacket speaks into a microphone during a seated discussion, with two other panelists beside him.
Zoom picture 7 of 15
Four panelists sit on high stools during a discussion, with one woman in blue speaking into a microphone.
Zoom picture 8 of 15
A close-up of a panel discussion, with a man speaking into a microphone while other panelists listen.
Zoom picture 9 of 15
An older man speaks with a small group of young attendees during an informal conversation.
Zoom picture 10 of 15
Wide view of attendees mingling in a bright upstairs venue, with tables, posters and a musician performing near the back.
Zoom picture 11 of 15
Close-up of a young musician singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar in front of a Future Creatives poster.
Zoom picture 12 of 15
An older man speaks to the audience beside a presentation screen and Culture Start posters.
Zoom picture 13 of 15
A man in glasses speaks at a table during a group discussion, while a woman beside him smiles and listens in a bright event space.
Zoom picture 14 of 15
A man in glasses speaks at a lectern during a presentation while audience members listen from tables.
Zoom picture 15 of 15

Video presentation from Sunderland College students.

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, and the Gillian Dickinson Trust.

University of Sunderland logo
MAC Trust Sunderland Logo
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation logo
Sir James Knott Trust logo
Gillian Dickinson Trust logo
Supported using public funding by Arts Council and Lottery logo