Deadline: 17-Oct-2025
Sunderland Culture, in partnership with the University of Sunderland through the Sunderland Creative Support Grant, is proud to support the city’s vibrant creative community.
Recognizing the significant impact artists, creatives, and cultural businesses have on Sunderland, this initiative aims to help them sustain and grow their work. Sunderland Culture is committed to fostering an environment where creative enterprises can thrive and reach new heights.
To further this goal, Sunderland Culture is launching the UKSPF Sunderland Creative Support Grant. This grant offers up to £2,000 to independent creative practitioners, businesses, and organisations based in Sunderland. The fund is designed to support creative enterprises that want to adopt new technologies or processes or engage with new markets, helping them innovate and expand.
While the grant is open to all creative businesses in Sunderland, there is a particular focus on those located in the Sunniside area. This focus aligns with the ongoing regeneration efforts in Sunniside, aiming to develop it into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood with a thriving Creative Hub at its heart. Applicants from this area are strongly encouraged to apply and contribute to this exciting vision.
Eligible applicants include sole traders, freelancers, community interest companies (CICs), limited companies (LTDs), registered charities, and other registered businesses. Applicants must have been trading for at least 12 months and be registered with HMRC, Companies House, or the Charities Commission. Creative industries covered are broadly defined, including fields such as design, music, publishing, architecture, film, crafts, visual arts, fashion, television, advertising, literature, computer games, and performing arts.
Applicants must hold a UK bank account in the name of the applying business and demonstrate a professional track record in Sunderland’s creative sector. They must also clearly show how the grant will enable them to introduce new technology or processes or open up new markets.
This support provides a valuable opportunity for Sunderland’s creative community to enhance their businesses, drive innovation, and contribute to the city’s cultural and economic growth.
For more information, visit Sunderland Culture.