OUR PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
At The Creative Seed, we work closely with local authorities, community and voluntary organisations, artists and cultural partners to achieve our objective of creating opportunities that allow access to the arts and cultural opportunities to everyone. We are big believers in collaboration in the community, and without our wonderful partners and funders, we wouldn't be able to provide all of the services and classes that we deliver, and we are incredibly grateful to all of the following. Below is a list of all past and present partners, funders and collaborators. Click on the logos to learn more.
The Arts Council champion, develop and invest in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people's lives by supporting activities across the arts, museums and libraries. They have been a crucial supporter in our work since The Creative Seed started in 2009. Without their continued support, we simply would not have been able to offer the projects that we have to the communities in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
Big Issue Invest is the social investment arm of The Big Issue, and a specialist provider of investment finance to social enterprises and charities. As well as continued general support, they helped to fund the refurbishment of our Carnival House space, and assisted in its running costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have worked in partnership with South Tyneside Council since 2006. We have developed their Summer and Winter Parade events into a carnival that works with both national and international artists, and engages an audience of thousands.
Another long-term supporter of The Creative Seed, Sunderland City Council supported our programme of pre-school sessions during COVID. They have also provided funding for our Health & Wellbeing Days, which have helped bring free taster sessions of relaxing, refreshing and revitalising workshops to the city. Visit the North Sunderland Community Facebook Page for more information
The National Lottery has helped to fund part of our programme for new mothers and their babies. Their Community Fund (through Sport England) has also helped us in providing free fitness classes.
Specialising in supporting former mining towns and villages in the UK, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust fund opportunities focused on improving three key themes; health & well-being, employment and skills. The Trust aided us in our work helping adults with disabilities, and then extended this support to allow us to continue our work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through their Return To Play Fund, Sport England supported activities at Carnival House at the beginning of 2022. Our Family Friendly Fitness project involves a range of fun, engaging activities for the whole family.
The Sir James Knott Trust fund charitable activity in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Hartlepool. During the summer of 2022, they provided The Creative Seed with funding that allowed a series of free classes and workshops during the school holidays, culminating in our Summer Festival at the end of August.
The official charity of Sunderland AFC, The Foundation of Light have supported our Keep Moving and Yoga for Beginners classes, through their Get Out Get Active scheme.
Rise aims to create a higher quality of life for communities that need it the most in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, using the power of physical activity. Their funding has helped us facilitate our free Let's Move classes every Wednesday.
Sunderland Culture is a registered charity that manages and develops cultural programmes within the Sunderland area. In November 2021, we worked with them to provide space at Carnival House to offer Creative Co-Working and Artist Support sessions, which is a chance for creatives, freelancers and artists to meet and build relationships with one another to develop collaborative links within the city. For more information, visit the Sunderland Culture website.
The Cultural Spring is an exciting, ambitious project to get more people in Sunderland and South Tyneside to experience and be inspired by the arts. We have collaborated with them on numerous projects at the St. Hilda's Pit Head space, including working with them to celebrate 25 years of the Customs House in South Shields.
Sunderland Business Improvement District is a business led, working partnership with one clear vision – to create a vibrant city centre and opportunities for everyone. Since 2014, the BID has invested more than £3m into the city centre. We have worked with Sunderland BID on the Halloween Lights Out Parade, also delivering free workshops with groups from across Sunderland in the lead up to the event. These workshops include costume making and drama classes centered around confidence building.