WE MAKE CULTURE
making change through making music
We Make Culture creates spaces where children and young people can make music, find their voice and shape their future.
We create free, inclusive opportunities and clear pathways to grow, lead and progress.
We connect community music-making, our Young Musicians Project, progression into creative careers, and targeted work with communities where access is most limited.
Linking with other organisations, all our work is part of a wider creative ecosystem across Sunderland.
Our work
Targeted Projects
We work with children, young people and families facing challenging circumstances, embedding music-making through long-term partnerships with organisations including WWIN and More Than Grandparents.
We create participant-led spaces where young people build confidence, connect with others, tell their stories and experience the difference music can make in their lives.
Everything we do is shaped by access, youth voice and progression, delivered through four connected strands.
Embedded Music Projects
Regular, local music-making rooted in community settings and built through long-term partnerships, with Back on the Map and Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub.
These sessions reduce barriers to access and offer a first step into music, with clear pathways into our wider programmes as young people grow in confidence and interest.
Young Musicians Project (YMP)
Young Musicians Project (YMP) is our core programme, bringing young people together weekly to create their own music, develop their skills and be part of a creative community.
As their work grows, YMP opens up opportunities to perform, record and release music through YMP Records, take part in projects with regional and national organisations and build their next steps.
Progression and Artist Support
We support young people aged 16–25 to take the next steps, from developing as peer leaders to building the skills and confidence to pursue creative careers, with artist development support and space to create through YMP Collective.
We connect regionally and nationally, through our gig exchange programme and as members of PRS Talent Development Network.