Prism Arts is joining a brand new countywide initiative led by Cumbria Arts and Culture Network (CACN) as part of a £175,000 project funded by Arts Council England, through its National Lottery funded Place Partnership programme. The initiative aims to help more young Cumbrians build careers in the creative industries.

Working with theatres, museums, arts organisations, and careers and education providers across the county, Prism Arts and CACN will deliver SEE IT TO BE IT over the next three years.

“See It To Be It is an exciting chance to connect the young people we work with to real creative opportunities right here in Cumbria. Prism Arts is proud to bring our experience in inclusive arts practice to the project, helping to open up clear, meaningful pathways for young creatives – particularly those who are learning disabled or neurodivergent – to develop their skills, gain paid experience, and imagine a future in the creative industries without having to leave the county.”

Kate Parry, Director of CACN, said: “Even though Cumbria is a wonderfully creative and inspiring place to live, our work tells us it is not easy for young creatives to build careers here. Too often, young people interested in creative careers – whether as museum curators, sound technicians, actors or artists – either leave to work in cities or feel they have to give up their creative ambitions. Yet young people are the future of our county’s health and vitality, and we need young creatives to live and thrive here. SEE IT TO BE IT is about pulling together to make that realistic and possible.”

“Young people in Cumbria deserve to see that a creative career is not only possible, but valued. This project is important because it will open doors, build connections and confidence for young people to thrive in creative industries, right here at home.”

Project Goals

SEE IT TO BE IT will bring together partners from educational, careers, and creative sectors to:

• Ensure creative careers are well represented in school and college careers programmes, so young Cumbrians understand the options open to them and how to access them.
• Bring together the different development opportunities for young creatives already happening across the county under the SEE IT TO BE IT banner.
• Create more paid opportunities for young creatives in all corners of Cumbria, so it becomes more possible to develop a career and earn a viable living in the county.

Prism Arts will contribute by running inclusive creative workshops and placements, giving young disabled and neurodivergent artists direct hands-on experience and exposure to industry opportunities.

Supporting Organisations

Arts and cultural organisations across the county are backing the scheme, including theatres, arts centres, dance organisations, museums, and inclusive arts organisations. Special emphasis will be on supporting young people who face the greatest challenges, such as those with disabilities or neurodivergence.

“The Arts Council believes that everyone should be able to have a career in the creative sector, wherever they live, without having to move away from their home. By bringing local partners and cultural organisations together, the project will help make this a reality by offering real opportunities throughout Cumbria for the next generation of artists.”

Other partners include The Knotted Project, Brewery Arts, Centre for Leadership Performance, Lakeland Arts, and many more, all committed to providing creative pathways for young people in Cumbria.

Next Steps

The project will begin in summer 2025 with the creation of a new See It To Be It website. In the coming months, a range of new opportunities for young people will be launched, including commissions, residencies, placements, and early-career jobs across the Cumbrian culture sector.

Contact Information

For SEE IT TO BE IT: Kate Parry, Director, Cumbria Arts and Culture Network
Email: director@cacn.co.uk
Phone: 07884 386206

For Prism Arts: Emma Turner, Communications Officer, Prism Arts
Email: emma@prismarts.org.uk
Phone: 01228 587691

About the Organisations

Prism Arts: A Cumbria-based arts charity working with learning disabled and neurodivergent people to express their experiences creatively, producing high-quality work that is shared, recognised and respected.

CACN – Cumbria Arts and Culture Network: A not-for-profit company connecting, championing, and developing the creative industries in Cumbria. CACN has been awarded Place Partnerships funding by Arts Council England to deliver See It To Be It.

Arts Council England: The national development agency for creativity and culture. Between 2023 and 2026, it will invest over £467 million of public money from Government, alongside an estimated £250 million each year from The National Lottery, to ensure access to culture and creativity across England.