Education

Taking Part

We have a weekly Youth Theatre, Saturday Art Club for 8-16 year olds, and Creative You for 11-19 year olds, as well as plenty of one-off or shorter term projects.

Current Opportunities:

Bright Lights: Youth Arts Exhibition is open for submissions of artwork. This opportunity is open to 11-19 year olds who live in Sunderland and the wider Sunderland area.

Arts Award

Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification for young people aged between 11 and 25.  Arts Award can be based around any arts or media activity, and can be complete it in a wide variety of settings – like youth clubs, arts centres, schools, colleges, theatres or community groups.

Arts Award is offered at three levels Bronze, Silver and Gold. If you are currently completing an Arts Award, or supporting a young person to achieve their Arts Award, get in touch to find out how we can help.

For more details on the arts award please visit www.artsaward.org.uk

Enjoying and Appreciating

We can offer tours of our Theatre, galleries and studios; gallery talks from artists and even opportunities to meet the actors and companies we work with.  Discounted tickets for selected events and performances can be offered to Arts Award students, just contact acw@sunderland.gov.uk for details and availability.

Arts Centre Washington also has a range of spaces which can be hired by young people for projects relating to Arts Award.

Our performances often include pre or post-show discussions with professional composers, actors, dancers or directors, which is a great way of finding out more and asking questions – especially if you’re doing an Arts Award! Check our programme for details about pre and post show discussions.

Leadership / apprenticeships

Work Placements: Each year the arts centre provides work experience placements for students. Priority is given to Arts Award students.

Showcasing Your Work

Arts Centre Washington’s Youth Arts Exhibition has become a staple in our main Gallery’s calendar as its reputation has built over the last few years.

Bright Lights: Youth Arts Exhibition is  an exhibition of artwork made by promising young artists aged 11-19, curated by a group of young people, supported by professionals.

The centre is also a hub for other community youth arts projects who are able to hire our performance spaces.

Contact: acw@sunderland.gov.uk for more details

Talks, Lectures and Workshops

We have a regular monthly group called the Nifties, who meet for lectures, workshops and artist talks. Members of the Nifties are entitled to discounted entry, click here for eligibility requirements. The public are welcome to attend these sessions too, click here for the latest programme of events.

Volunteering:

The Arts Centre has a volunteer programme and now has volunteers at most of its live events. If you want a chance to see lots of brilliant theatre at this venue for free as a volunteer, please contact Sue Moore on 0191 561 3455 or acw@sunderland.gov.uk for details on volunteering.

Classes and Courses

We have brilliant in-house artists and practitioners who lead weekly adult classes at the Arts Centre.