The future of creative glass in Sunderland

The future of creative glass in Sunderland

Call for options appraisal and feasibility study
Deadline for submissions 27th February 2024 at 12noon

Sunderland Culture, in partnership with University of Sunderland and Sunderland City Council, and with support from Arts Council England is looking to appoint an independent consultant (or consultants) to support a review of the future of creative glass in Sunderland, including options appraisal and feasibility study.

In January 2023, following a specialist review, the University of Sunderland announced it had concluded the cost of repairing and maintaining the existing National Glass Centre building was prohibitively high.

The University of Sunderland began work to relocate a ‘reimagined’ National Glass Centre and discussion focussed on a distributed model which includes the possibility of a dedicated glass gallery, embedding a reimagined academic glass and ceramics provision within the wider arts and design offer across the University of Sunderland estate and creating a city centre ‘making space’.

Whilst the ability to create and make in glass is at the heart of National Glass Centre, as yet there is no firm solution around the creation of a making space.

The loss of a glassmaking facility could have significant negative impact on: Sunderland’s fragile creative economy (Sunderland is a Levelling Up for Culture Place); the ability of artists and makers to work in the city; the heritage of the city and its identity; and the ability of national and international artists to creatively explore the potential of glass.

Partners believe it is important to secure a glassmaking facility to ensure the future of glass as a visual artform, secure the heritage skills for the practice and support a vibrant exhibition programme in the city.
Consultation on creative glass in Sunderland