Important Visitor Notice

From Sunday 16 March 2025, National Glass Centre will close on Sundays.

This will bring it in line with the opening hours of other galleries and museums across the city. National Glass Centre remains open with our usual programme of exhibitions and activities Monday-Saturday.

Additionally, in line with the new opening hours, Glass Yard Café will also close on Sundays and offer a revised menu on Mondays.

Read the full statement from University of Sunderland about the planned changes:  University of Sunderland Statement

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Four framed colour portraits of teenagers and young adults. The pictures framed. The frame is black. They hang on a wall in a gallery. behind the portraits is a large blue block colour.

Exhibitions

Autonomy

22 Feb – 26 Apr 2025

Showing in the Learning Gallery

Quick summary

Price
Free
Running time
10:00 - 17:00
Venue
  • National Glass Centre Learning Gallery

Additional information

Access Information

Event description

This exhibition showcases work made by autistic young people, living in Sunderland. The 16- to 25-year-olds have taken part in an eleven-month project entitled Autonomy which has enabled social connection through creative activity. The overarching aim is to ensure that young autistic people have the freedom and opportunity to collaboratively enjoy creative and cultural opportunities and celebrate their unique qualities and preferences.

Young people became involved with Autonomy through partnership with Sunderland College and through Sunderland Culture’s weekly open-access social arts group Special Interests Club, held at Arts Centre Washington. Documented through photography portraits by Simon Green of Luminary Photography CIC, the participants shared and explored their own special interests and collections.

The group worked alongside photographers Michael Davidson and Nicola Maxwell, to create sandcast glass sculptures using objects they value. They have also worked alongside National Glass Centre curatorial team to understand the importance and purpose of museum collections. Working alongside animator Sheryl Jenkins, the group have also created their own stop-motion animations.

Autonomy has been supported by the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Connected Communities programme which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, through Arts Council England

Department of Culture, Media, Media and Sport logo
Arts Council England logo