Latest news with #SunderlandCulture
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fears of a glass-making gap after centre shuts
Campaigners fighting to save the National Glass Centre from closure fear a skills gap will develop while a new hub is built. The centre in Sunderland is due to close to the public in July 2026 and a new site, called Glassworks, is planned to open in Sunniside in 2028 with the aim of preserving the city's glass-making history. Sunderland Culture, which will be running Glassworks, said there would be an alternative glass-making provision in the interim period, subject to funding being secured. But campaign group Save the National Glass Centre warned artists might not stick around until the new venue opened. The £7.5m Glassworks facility has secured £5m from the government's Cultural Development Fund, with efforts under way to raise the remaining £2.5m. However, campaigners said the Sunniside venue was not designed for glass-making processes, which require the use of heat, and warned the project could run out of money. "There's certainly going to be a gap between glass-making finishing at the National Glass Centre and starting at Glassworks," said Nigel Taylor from the campaign group. "We don't think that the budgets have been thought out well enough for Glassworks. "The danger is that it runs out of money and glass-making closes at the National Glass Centre and never starts anywhere else." A spokesperson for Sunderland Culture said its fundraising target reflected the costs "for making the building fit for purpose as a glass-making space". "Further detailed design and development work will take place in the coming months in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the glass-making community," they added. The University of Sunderland, which has been glass centre's custodian since 2010, announced last year that the venue would close in 2026 due to unaffordable repair costs. A spokesperson said the university had supported Sunderland Culture with the Glassworks project, which "represents a new opportunity to create an exciting model for the future of glass-making in the city". The city council said it was continuing to work with "city and national partners on the future of glass-making in Sunderland". But campaigners said they were "deeply concerned" for staff. A spokesperson for the campaign group said: "People with mortgages to pay and children in school cannot be expected to sit around and wait for Glassworks to open its doors in three years' time. "Sunderland will lose all of their talents and expertise as they will have no choice but to move on." There are currently no details on any interim glass-making provision, but Sunderland Culture said: "We recognise how critical it is to retain specialist glass-making expertise and experience in the city." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. National Glass Centre closure date set Proposed new Glassworks site announced Why is the National Glass Centre closing? Sunderland Culture University of Sunderland
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fears of Sunderland glass-making gap after centre shuts
Campaigners fighting to save the National Glass Centre from closure fear a skills gap will develop while a new hub is centre in Sunderland is due to close to the public in July 2026 and a new site, called Glassworks, is planned to open in Sunniside in 2028 with the aim of preserving the city's glass-making Culture, which will be running Glassworks, said there would be an alternative glass-making provision in the interim period, subject to funding being campaign group Save the National Glass Centre warned artists might not stick around until the new venue opened. The £7.5m Glassworks facility has secured £5m from the government's Cultural Development Fund, with efforts under way to raise the remaining £ campaigners said the Sunniside venue was not designed for glass-making processes, which require the use of heat, and warned the project could run out of money. "There's certainly going to be a gap between glass-making finishing at the National Glass Centre and starting at Glassworks," said Nigel Taylor from the campaign group. "We don't think that the budgets have been thought out well enough for Glassworks. "The danger is that it runs out of money and glass-making closes at the National Glass Centre and never starts anywhere else."A spokesperson for Sunderland Culture said its fundraising target reflected the costs "for making the building fit for purpose as a glass-making space"."Further detailed design and development work will take place in the coming months in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the glass-making community," they added. 'Lose talent' The University of Sunderland, which has been glass centre's custodian since 2010, announced last year that the venue would close in 2026 due to unaffordable repair costs.A spokesperson said the university had supported Sunderland Culture with the Glassworks project, which "represents a new opportunity to create an exciting model for the future of glass-making in the city".The city council said it was continuing to work with "city and national partners on the future of glass-making in Sunderland". But campaigners said they were "deeply concerned" for staff.A spokesperson for the campaign group said: "People with mortgages to pay and children in school cannot be expected to sit around and wait for Glassworks to open its doors in three years' time."Sunderland will lose all of their talents and expertise as they will have no choice but to move on."There are currently no details on any interim glass-making provision, but Sunderland Culture said: "We recognise how critical it is to retain specialist glass-making expertise and experience in the city." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Proposed Sunderland Glassworks site announced
The proposed site of a new glassmaking hub has been Sunderland will be based in the former Peter Smith antiques warehouse on Borough Road in Sunniside, the city's council government announced the £5m project earlier this year, as part of a £60m fund for creative previously said a new site would be bittersweet as the city's National Glass Centre is set to close in 2026, leaving some residents feeling "robbed". The new location will be run by arts organisation Sunderland Culture with the aim of preserving 1,350 years of glassmaking City Council said: "The expectation is that it will be one of the few places in the UK with specialist glassmaking facilities for artists and participants to create and produce in glass." Jo Howell, who has been leading the campaign to prevent the closure of the National Glass Centre, previously said the smaller site was like a "sticking plaster over an open wound".Sunderland University had said it was closing the existing heritage site because it would cost between £14m and £45m to repair the Labour-run authority warned that Glassworks Sunderland was still at an "early stage"."The first step will be for the partners to come together with glassmakers to develop a robust business model for what will become a self-sustaining glassmaking hub," the council said.
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sunderland bursaries to boost young people's creative careers
A new bursary has been launched to help young people reach their artistic Ignite Bursary Programme will allow successful applicants to access up to £500 to follow their creative scheme is being run by Sunderland Culture and is designed for 12 to 18-year-olds who live in low-income households and for those up to 25 years old with special educational needs or Rees Harris, from Sunderland Culture, said the extra money would help those eligible "realise their creative career ambitions". The money can be used to buy materials, access work experience, arrange a cultural trip or develop a portfolio."Successful recipients may also want to use a bursary to engage a mentor to help develop networks and connections or to access 'backstage' discussions with artists and creative professionals," Ms Harris said."Or it might be something completely different. You can request funding for anything, if you can demonstrate it will further your creative passion and explain why." Financial barriers The bursaries are available through Sunderland Culture's Culture Start project as part of its wider Ignite Young Creatives has been designed to address the barriers young people experiencing financial hardship face when trying to work in the arts and culture sector. The bursary is supported by the Gillian Dickinson Trust, which provides grants to artistic organisations, and the Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation, which aims to improve the natural world and creative communities. Those wishing to apply for the bursary must:Live in SunderlandMeet the age requirementsBe able to demonstrate their passionHave an adult who can provide a reference for their applicationBe eligible for free school meals, pupil premium or meet the Culture Start eligibility criteriaHave a bank account
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New bursary programme launched to help young artists in North East city
A new bursary programme to empower young people in a North East city to achieve their artistic ambitions has launched. Young artists in Sunderland now have an opportunity to turn their creative dreams into reality with the Ignite Bursary Programme. The initiative, part of the broader Ignite Young Creatives Programme run by Culture Start, is designed to support young people in the region in achieving their artistic ambitions. Launched last year, Culture Start's mission is to reduce the impact of poverty by providing greater access to creative activities and opportunities for children and young people growing up in low income households across Wearside. Culture Start is led by Sunderland Culture on behalf of a partnership of organisations across the city. The Ignite Young Creatives Programme, at the heart of this mission, addresses the barriers young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face in pursuing careers in the arts and culture sector. Lucy Rees Harris, assistant producer, and Michael Barrass, manager, at Culture Start (Image: SUNDERLAND CULTURE) Lucy Rees Harris, assistant producer at Culture Start, said, 'The Ignite Young Creatives Programme recognises the challenges young people experiencing financial hardship face in finding work in the arts. 'The Ignite Bursary Programme is part of a structured framework to help break down these barriers.' Most read: Ireshopeburn: County Durham village named 'peaceful gem' GO Outdoors: Bamburgh Beach Northumberland 'best for winter walks' New town could be built along Leamside Line Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device for just £3 for three months. The bursaries, which can provide up to £500, are aimed at young people aged 12-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities, helping young people access opportunities that would not typically be available to them. 'The bursaries are an exciting opportunity for young people to gain exposure to excellence in the arts and to make meaningful steps toward their future careers,' Lucy added. The first bursaries are set to be awarded in March, For more information, or to apply for a bursary, go to
