Spark! Young Cultural Changemakers Programme, 2025 - 2027
“We are young people who live in Chelmsford and we want to celebrate the creativity and culture that surrounds us.”
Young people in Chelmsford are taking the lead in shaping the city's cultural future, thanks to a major £250,000 investment from Arts Council England, through the National Lottery Place Partnership Fund.
The Young Cultural Changemakers Programme will put 13–25-year-olds from local youth changemakers, Spark!, in the driving seat of decision-making. They’ll deliver cultural events, influence public policy, and help build a stronger, more inclusive creative economy that will benefit the Chelmsford district. The project is produced by Culture Chelmsford, and delivered in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford For You, and Chelmsford College.
Formed in 2022 through the Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP), Spark! was established to amplify young voices, remove barriers to accessing creative opportunities and develop the next generation of civic changemakers. Now, thanks to the joint investment of Arts Council England and citywide partners, this expanded programme places young people in leadership roles, shaping Chelmsford’s cultural landscape and building pathways into the UK’s £124 billion creative industries.
Four bold projects, one powerful vision
Over the next two years, Spark! will deliver four high-impact projects designed to foster creative skills development, commission opportunities for creative professionals and produce a transferable model of best practice for other towns and cities across Essex and the UK:
Collecting Our Future with the Museum of Chelmsford
A city-wide campaign to co-create a new collections policy that better reflects the diversity of Chelmsford’s communities. Through exhibitions, workshops, debates and a cultural exchange with another city, young people will help define how the museum collects and curates 21st-century and locally relevant stories—with a strong focus on climate consciousness and inclusive heritage.
Project update: Dec 25
Image credits: Culture Chelmsford
Key deliverables:
4 Collaborative Workshops
1 Media Agency Commissioned
2 Research Visits
1 Inclusive Campaign Design
Next steps 2026
Campaign launch, inc Survey - what item would you collect? (Jan - Mar)
1 Exhibition Artist Open Call (Jan - Apr)
Community Co-Design & Exhibition Planning (Apr - Sep)
Exhibition opens (Jan 27)
Programme funders
Concrete Canvas Reimagined with Chelmsford For You
A new wave of street art across the
district co-created by local, national, and international artists, will spark public dialogue about the role of art in regeneration and city identity. This project will underpin the development of a new Public Art Strategy for Chelmsford, with discussions on cultural placemaking for everyone to get involved in.
Project update: Dec 25
Image credits: Apparan Perez, Candy Joyce, Lawker Media, Culture Chelmsford
Key deliverables:
1 Freelance Project Manager
2 Research Visits
2 Commissioned Artists
3 Community Murals: South Woodham Ferrers, Great Baddow & Moulsham
3 Brainstorming Sessions: 105 Participants
3 Mural Painting Sessions: 95 Participants
500 Colouring Books created to showcase 16 city murals: Gifted to 10-14yrs by Kids Inspire for Christmas, with pens donated by STABILO.
1 Colouring Competition
4 Mural Artist Open Calls launched for May 2026
3 Community Murals confirmed for 2026: South Woodham Ferrers, Great Baddow & Broomfield
Next steps 2026
Appointment of 4 Mural Artists & 3 young /emerging artists, (Dec - Jan 26)
3 Community workshops with 3 Mural Artists & 3 Emerging Artists (Jan - Apr 26)
Community Planning for Concrete Canvas Steet Party (Jan - Apr 26)
Murals painted, plus City & Community Street Parties (May 26)
LOOKUP Portsmouth Research Visit Reel
Chelmsford Science Festival: Gaming Fringe with ARU
A pioneering exploration of gaming culture and careers through creative technology workshops, events and intergenerational activities connecting tabletop to online —challenging stereotypes and opening up creative tech pathways to underrepresented groups.
Project update: Dec 25
Image credits: Culture Chelmsford
Key deliverables:
8 Collaborative Workshops
2 Gaming Pilot Event Partners: Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) & Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society
5 Game On Event Collaborators: 3 Gaming Studio Insiders, 2 Game Design Educators
2 Pilot Events: Game On & Do&Discover
81 Year 9 - 11 Students from 7 Schools Across Essex
100 Young People & Families
1 Community Minecraft Mural
Next steps 2026
Chelmsford Science Festival: Gaming Fringe Design Phase with Partners, Collaborators & Communities + Creative Commissioning (Apr - Sep)
Gaming Fringe events live (Oct)
Quotes
Game On Pilot, Year 10 Student, said:
“I really enjoyed seeing the ways in which designing games can get broken down into different careers and roles.”
Game On Pilot, Year 11 Student, said:
“A great insight overall into careers. You hear about computer science but not this.”
Isobel, Chair of SPARK!, said:
“It’s so important for young people to learn about creative careers because if we don’t show them what’s out there, they could miss out on finding their purpose, especially starting in their local area. Creativity is everywhere and the world is full of creative careers - including the digital world. As technology is a part of life, any skills can be transferred in ways we all wouldn’t have thought of. Creative careers start from the most unexpected places.”
Austin, Member of SPARK!, said:
“For me games are a big part of my life it's why I'm an artist in the first place I just love the work that goes into making something like that the amount of people you need on a project all coming together to help to complete a vision. It's just something I really admire and really like.
Which is why I think spark being a part of it is so important especially for younger people these days the games industry is quite a difficult industry to get into so having a way for young people who are passionate about this art form like myself come together and find a community is something I really admire and I'm very happy to be a part of.”
Adam Wood, Trustee of CSES, Trustee of Culture Chelmsford, Senior Visiting Fellow of ARU, said:
"I'm really proud to have helped bring CSES, Culture Chelmsford and ARU together to create and deliver Game On!, which was co-designed with young people from Spark! Youth Forum to help them realise their ideas for a gaming festival in Chelmsford. This has been a successful pilot event, with three excellent workshops delivered by a mix of industry and educational partners, and has generated many good ideas for the full festival next year. I really enjoyed it (and learned a fair bit too!), as did the students, who got an insider's view of the world of game design and some valuable careers advice."
Aj Grand-Scrutton, CEO of local independent studio Dlala Studios, said:
"Dlala Studios were very proud to be part of the Game On! event. I attended the event personally, alongside our Audio Lead, and was beyond impressed with how smooth the event was run. The level of engagement from the children was fantastic, at what is a difficult age to have these discussions with at times they remained interested, asking questions and participating.
As a studio, we try to engage actively with Essex-based events, especially those linked to the education sector and I can truly say this is one of my favourites so far. Everyone was professional whilst maintaining a relaxed and open atmosphere. I am very honoured that Dlala got to be a part of this event and we can't wait to see what future events look like."
Wrap-around Support BLANK SPACE
This holistic support offer will include mentoring, peer learning, and advisory opportunities for young people and the partners. Arts Award accreditation will help young people move into creative roles, board positions, employment and entrepreneurship.
Quotes
Kate Reeder, Curatorial and Learning Manager, Museum of Chelmsford, said:
“We’re thrilled to partner with young people to ensure diverse voices are heard and represented in the Museum of Chelmsford. By connecting with diverse communities, weaving their unique narratives into the collection, creating a rich tapestry of history for generations to come. We hope to create a legacy where the vibrant stories of Chelmsford’s communities come alive.“
