“We are young people who live in Chelmsford and we want to celebrate the creativity and culture that surrounds us.”
Young Cultural Changemakers Programme
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.
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.
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.
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.
