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FAQs
The Ignite Bursary Programme is designed to support young people in Sunderland (aged 12-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or a disability) who are facing financial hardship and want to pursue their artistic talents.
The programme offers bursaries of up to £500 to help cover the costs of resources, training, and opportunities that will aid in their creative development.
The Ignite Bursary Programme is part of a programme called Culture Start, led by Sunderland Culture.
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, The Sir Tom Cowie Fund at the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the Gillian Dickinson Trust.
To be eligible, applicants must live in Sunderland, be aged 12-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or a disability and fulfil at least one of the Essential Criteria or a minimum of two Additional Criteria.
Essential criteria include eligibility for free school meals, living in a low-income household, having a long-term health condition or disability, experience with the care system, or being a young carer.
Additional criteria includes having an Education, Health and Care Plan, being part of a large family, or experiencing extenuating circumstances.
You can see a full list of the criteria in our Application Guide
An Ignite Bursary can help you pay for things that will support your creative journey, for example:
- Buying things you need, like supplies, material, tools or software (including musical instruments or art materials)
- Paying for travel to work experience or volunteering opportunities
- Joining workshops, classes, or special training
- Going on trips to performances, shows, or museums (help with tickets, transport or staying overnight)
- Creating or improving your portfolio, video reel, or website
- Renting special spaces like a studio
- Or something else! If you’re not sure, get in touch and check
Before completing the Ignite Bursary application form, applicants should read the Application Guide.
The Ignite Bursary application form should be filled in by the young person who is applying for funds, alongside a parent, guardian or carer if they are under 16 (18 if they have SEND).
Applicants over 16 years old can complete the application without a parent, carer or guardian. Supporting documents such as proof of age and address will be needed, and if a bursary offer is made, we will ask for valid UK bank details.
All applicants must provide a referee who can support the application and confirm the young person’s creative passion and interest and provide a reference.
The referee should be someone who knows the applicant well in a professional or educational capacity, such as a teacher, youth worker, or creative professional.
Family members and friends cannot serve as referees.
The referee will be contacted to confirm the details provided in the application.
Applications are reviewed by the Ignite Bursary panel. The panel is made up of individuals from creative organisations, youth organisations, and the Culture Start team.
Decisions are based on the information provided in the application, including the applicant’s passion for their creative interest, how they intend to use the bursary, and their future aspirations.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-March 2025. Successful applicants will receive a bursary offer.
Unsuccessful applicants will get an email to let them know about the outcome of their application in April 2025.
If your bursary application is successful we will contact you by email to let you know.
We will ask you (if you’re over 16) or the adult named on your application to complete an acceptance form and supply bank details, which we will verify.
Bursary payments will be then be made by a bank transfer into the verified bank account.
The funds need to be used within 12 months, and we’ll follow up with you during that time to check how the money has been put to use and how it has helped your creative interest.
Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback and are encouraged to reapply in the next application cycle.
The Ignite Bursary page will be updated with dates when applications open again.