What We Do
Forging connections to arts & culture, for every young person
Sheffield is a city of creatives, of makers.
Every child or young person here deserves the same access to creative expression, no matter their background.
Create Sheffield increases, improves and equalises cultural opportunities for young people.
How We Work
We connect Sheffield’s education, cultural, arts and youth sectors as the city’s Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP)
By bringing people together, we allow them to do more together.
Our 90+ partners support and learn from each other at regular networking events.
These sessions are a catalyst for creativity with real impact.
They have introduced school leaders to storytellers, making the KS2 science curriculum more engaging.
They’ve brought together youth groups or services staff with cultural organisations and improved the well-being of individuals through bespoke activity provision.
Musicians have found new venues. Artists have discovered fresh training opportunities.
These micro connections - for everyone from the decision maker to the DJ - are the spark that leads to a better, more collaborative and creative future.
Our work doesn’t stop there.
As a channel for sharing crucial information, we can let partners be among the first to know about new funding pots or cultural plans.
The team researches on behalf of partners and champions their work regionally.
We are also proud to be their voice at strategic meetings.
“Art and culture are things that connect others.”
A Sheffield school pupil interviewed for a Creative Sheffield consultation
Who We Are
Our team members have varied backgrounds in the museums, education and arts sectors but share the same vision.
We want all children and young people in Sheffield to know what cultural activity is happening and feel it is for them.
Laura worked closely with artists, organisations and practitioners during a 15-year career at Sheffield Museums.
There, she saw the impact culture can have on the well-being of young people.
Today, Laura dedicates her time to uniting Sheffield’s creative sectors to make a difference and tackle inequalities.
Her ambition is to help create more arts and cultural opportunities, by everyone, for everyone.
Meet Katie Matthews, our administrator.
Katie knows first-hand how inaccessible arts and culture can be.
She has worked in the sector for several years and founded her own non-profit, Sheffield’s Gut Level collective and venue, with friends.
As our administrator, Katie hopes to help more young people experience the joy of arts and culture, realise they can be creative and that their voice is valid.
How We Are Funded
Create Sheffield was first formed in 2016 and is now an independent charity.
Our funding comes from Learn Sheffield, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield College.
We also access funding from major cultural organisations, such as Sheffield Museums Trust, Sheffield Theatres and Sheffield Music Hub.
Although we regularly share external funding opportunities with our partners, we cannot provide grants to organisations ourselves.
“Creativity is the most natural freedom I’ve ever had”
Award-winning Sheffield artist Conor Rodgers, interviewed for a Creative Sheffield consultation.