The Cultural Spring, a three-year project to get more people in Sunderland and South Tyneside to experience and be inspired by arts and culture, has had its funding extended for a further three years.
It currently works in ten wards: Red House, Castletown Southwick, Fulwell and Roker / St Peter’s in Sunderland, and Biddick and All Saints, Boldon Colliery, Cleadon and East Boldon, Whitburn and Marsden, and Whiteleas in South Tyneside. The latest grant from Arts Council will enable it to extend its workshop programme to ten new wards: Hendon, Millfield, Pallion, Sandhill and St Anne’s in Sunderland and Horsley Hill, Beacon and Bents, Simonside and Rekendyke, Monkton and Bede in South Tyneside.
There will also be a programme of commissioned, large scale events, Research & Development opportunities for artists working with the targeted communities and a new "Guest List" programme offering people a chance to see work across a range of art forms and venues.
The Cultural Spring will also pilot an accreditation programme with the University of Sunderland for adults taking part in their activities.
Over the past three years, more than 20,000 people have been involved in its large-scale commissions such as The Great North Passion (a co-production with the BBC), the Summer Streets music programme and Inventors!
Many people have also taken part in a programme of weekly workshops in a variety of arts and crafts, leading to the formation of some groups which have become self-sustaining.
‘We’re obviously delighted to be continuing our work for a further three years,” said Emma Horsman, director of The Cultural Spring, “and are already working in our new ten wards. Consultation sessions in these wards have already taken place and more are in the pipeline.
“We’ll be seeking additional support from local businesses, trusts and other partners to enhance the work over the next three years.”
The Cultural Spring’s three founding partners are the University of Sunderland, the Customs House, South Shields, and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust.
Graeme Thompson, chair of The Cultural Spring and pro vice chancellor at the university, said, “as lead partner, the university is a big advocate of The Cultural Spring and we’re thrilled it will be raising aspirations and engagement within the two boroughs for another three years—at least.”
Paul Callaghan, founder of the MAC Trust, added that The Cultural Spring had been a huge part of the momentum building in Sunderland’s arts and cultural regeneration.
“The project helps to promote leadership and inspiration in both boroughs and it has achieved more than it set out to do,” he said. “The numbers of residents engaged in arts activity in our target wards has increased and communities are deciding what art they want delivered rather than being dictated to.”