Call for Proposals to Asunder Community Programme – DEADLINE 26th February 2016

As part of the centenary commemorations of WW1, Sunderland Cultural Partnership is delivering a major cultural and heritage programme called Asunder.This ambitious new programme explores the legacy of one of the most traumatic battles in military history, the Battle of the Somme, through the prism of a single city - Sunderland. The programme will include a large showcase event on 10th July at Sunderland Empire and across the city centre, which will feature a new film and live sound track performed by Field Music, Warm Digits and Royal Northern Sinfonia.

We will also be running a city-wide participation programme, so that communities in Sunderland have the chance to be part of Asunder. We would like to hear proposals of activity from organisations and communities across Sunderland which fulfil our aims and aspirations for the programme. These projects will run from April – July and be involved in a large showcase event across Sunderland City on the 10th July 2016.

The three core priorities for the programme are:

  • To bring the story of Sunderland in 1916 and its connection to the Battle of the Somme alive for twenty-first century audiences; creating a lasting and poignant legacy, insighting deep personal responses and reflection
  • To engage new audiences who would not normally participate in culture, art and heritage – one of the city’s core ambitions for the future
  • To build on creative excellence and heritage expertise within the city and introduce new opportunities for collaboration.

We would like to hear from cultural, heritage and community organisations, who would like to explore Sunderland and 1916 as a point in time.

Proposals should include:

  • A cultural and heritage partnership – opportunities for cultural and heritage organisations or groups to come together in this project to develop artistic responses to the heritage in the city and beyond with Sunderland communities
  • Added value activity – to add value to what is already happening across the city
  • Focus on 1916 – with a Sunderland lens, but looking nationally and internationally for inspiration e.g. minority communities in Sunderland in 2016 who had a connection to Battle of the Somme and the Great War
  • Activity to be delivered between April and July – flexibility regarding start and end
  • Willingness to be part of the PR, evaluation and documentation of the programme

NOTE: One or more partner organisation MUST be based in Sunderland and as well as meeting the above spec, consideration of even geographical spread will be given when selecting final projects.

We will not fund:

  • Operational or delivery costs for existing activity – all activity must either be new, or add value to existing programmes of work
  • Work with schools, unless there is a significant wider community element
  • Non-cultural and heritage projects
  • Projects that do not, in some way, link with 1916 or Battle of the Somme

Budget

There are 5 x £3,000 funds (envisaging 1 project in each area – West Area, North Area, East Area Washington and Coalfields). However if people require less money to deliver their programmes, we can extend the overall number of projects.

Proposals should be no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining:

  • Your project outline including timescales
  • Organisations/individuals involved
  • Proposed audience/community and expected numbers engaged
  • Expected output
  • Basic budget breakdown including any in kind support

Projects will be scored against creative approach to the brief, geography and value for money.

For more information on the overall programme please find attached a programme brief.

The Deadline for proposals is Friday 26th February and can be sent to

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Leila d’Aronville at

You can also find us on Twitter @1916asunder and on Facebook at facebook.com/asunder1916