The Sheffield Culture Bulletin
Happy new year - hope everyone had a restful break!
We've got an exciting new website to share with you, as well as a huge array of artist opportunities and job vacancies.
As promised, we'll now be doing separate bulletins for opportunities and cultural events to help streamline content, so please submit as far in advance as possible to guarantee inclusion.
This is our first opportunities-only bulletin, so grab a brew with the last of your mince pies and let's get into it.
 Create Sheffield's Creative Careers Event 2025, Credit Becky Payne
Introducing our new website for sector support. This is a key element of Culture Strategy delivery, and the site will platform resources for artists, local cultural networks, our team's events and much more.
There's still plenty to be added, so if you think something is missing then the chances are it's already on our to-do list! If you do have any suggestions, please reach out to murray.wood@sheffield.gov.uk.
A look at some of the resources & pages
Support for artists and freelancers - A useful page of links and resources that can support your work as a creative.
Sheffield City Council events support - Find out which teams at the council can support with your cultural event.
Creative Health - This page breaks down the regional and national Creative Health movement and tells you how to get involved.
Funding Resources - Check this page out for funding directories, consultancy services, bid writing support and more.
From gritty and intimate grassroots music venues to world-class street art and a thriving festival scene, Sheffield is home to more than 2,000 cultural and creative businesses as well as 16,000 creative and cultural freelancers.
But what does this look like, and what do they do? Well, this video is a small snapshot of what the city has to offer...
What's on?
Our website is dedicated to culture sector support, but if you are looking for 'What's on' pages, there are other useful resources to keep your eye on.
Welcome to Sheffield and Our Favourite Places both have great events pages, with OFP having just released their 2026 festivals guide.
The Culture Bulletin is also essential for regular grassroots culture updates. In this new format, we'll be dedicating one bulletin a month to 'What's on' listings that have been submitted by you.
 The Future Past Coalition at Sidney and Matilda, Credit Kate Allen
Culture Sheffield Opportunities
All our events, workshops, funds, vacancies and commissions will now also be advertised on our website.
This pivotal role will support the delivery of our strategic ambitions for heritage across the city, championing Sheffield’s unique historic environment and ensuring it continues to inspire and enrich our communities for years to come.
Salary: £47-51k
Deadline: 19th January 2025
Contact culturesheffield@sheffield.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Culture Sheffield Events
Disability Awareness Training, 20th February 2025
We are partnering with Quiplash to deliver a beginner-friendly session on disability politics, disability justice and ways to create meaningful access.
There are two timeslots available:
Morning Session at 10:00 AM
Afternoon Session at 2:00 PM
Are you the leader of a small/medium-sized arts organization, or are you a mid-career leader in Sheffield’s creative and cultural sector? Are you ready to sharpen your leadership skills, expand your network and plan your next steps?
Join Culture Sheffield and Cultural Associates Oxford (CAO) for the first of 3 leadership development days in 2026.
Free skills workshops for creative freelancers!
Building Sustainable Creative Careers Tickets, 3rd February 2026 - How do you build a creative practice that nourishes you personally, professionally and financially? Come and explore resilience and wellbeing for freelancers, founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting to make their mark.
From Idea to Event, 25th February 2026 - Great events don't just happen. This workshop gives you the inside track on turning creative ideas into smooth, professional events.
Creative Connections: Networking for Creative Freelancers, 18th March 2026 - Come meet other freelancers in Sheffield. You’ll learn simple ways to connect with others start conversations without feeling awkward or 'salesy'. The session is introvert-friendly and neurodivergent-aware, with no forced small talk.
Following a citywide consultation with Sheffield’s creative community, the city launched its Culture Strategy at an event on 11th December 2024. We are now one year into this decade-long plan to support arts and culture in Sheffield, and what a year it’s been.
Click the title link and find out what has been achieved over the last year. Thank you to all the organisations and creatives who have been involved in the delivery of the Culture Strategy so far. You’ve all been part of the journey, and more exciting things are coming – watch this space!
So, we invited Reel Steel to screen a Japanese film from 1952, and we invited the medieval instrumentalists Resonant Bodies to come play some music. Little did we know this would give us an atmospheric and original film score!
Thanks to Joe for coming through with the vintage projector and a 16mm print of 'Ikiru', and to Resonant Bodies for the improvised soundtrack.
Culture Club came out of the Culture Strategy consultation, where the sector requested more ways for creatives to connect, and our social before Christmas was a perfect way to see out the year.
Great vibes, great people. Catch you at the next one for more of the same!
 Reel Steel Cinema at Culture Club 3, Credit Jade Ayino
Other workshops, training & networking
Gender beyond the Binary, 15th January 2026 - Online training to help develop understanding around trans and non-binary people to support inclusive practices in the workplace.
Barnsley Creative Health Action Group: First Meeting, 21st January 2026 - The Action Group will aim to be a supportive network for anyone at any level (paid, volunteer, freelancer etc.) that works directly with people in Barnsley within creative health.
Into Film Educational Symposium, 21st January 2026 - This January, Into Film is hosting an Educational Symposium bringing together educators and screen industry partners from across the region.
Introduction to Experiential Tourism, 22nd January 2026 - Join for a deep dive into the world of experiential tourism - discover what it is, why it matters and how it can help grow your business.
Building impactful relationships with schools, 28th January 2026 - This online course shares best practices for building relationships with schools, exploring one off workshops, short projects and longer term offers.
Creative Boom Social, 29th January 2026 - An informal, relaxed social event for creative minds to meet up in Leah's Yard!
Making Our Own Table: African Theatre & Performance in the UK, 2nd February 2026 - Utopia Theatre invites artists, producers, academics, funders and decision-makers to a national symposium reshaping the future of African theatre in the UK.
AcessAble Webinars 2026 - AccessAble host monthly access webinars every second Tuesday of the month, designed for tourism and hospitality businesses.
ACE Diversity Development Programme 2026 - This free development programme is designed to support diverse-led cultural organisations with business development, governance, finances and fundraising.
Artist opportunities
Sensoria Festival 2026 Call for Submissions - They’re open to all suggestions from film, music and the visual arts. A key theme this year is ‘Plantasia’ which centres around biodiversity and is inspired by Plantasia, the cult Moog synth album.
Migration Matters Festival 2026 artist and event call out - The team are looking for exciting, creative work and events - from theatre to art, music to community and much more.
Call for Film Submissions - Videoclub invites LGBTQIA+ artists and filmmakers to submit moving image works for a public screening programme in 2026. They welcome experimental film, animation and hybrid moving-image practices.
Children's Capital of Culture Young Designer Opportunity - Children's Capital of Culture are looking for an aspiring artist, digital illustrator or graphic designer, aged 14-25 and based in Rotherham to create their CCOC album cover.
Upskilling programme for TV freelancers - Prime Video Pathway (PVP) has partnered with the National Film and Television School to support the reskilling and upskilling of TV freelancers.
Job/volunteering vacancies
Looking for a new start in 2026? We've got you covered. Follow our LinkedIn for regular updates and see the below list for some great vacancies.
Sanctuary '27 roles - These 2 roles with SBC Theatre and City of Sanctuary are a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic and purpose-driven team responsible for marking 20 years since Sheffield became the first City of Sanctuary.
Performing Arts Programme Manager at Rotherham Civic - They are seeking an experienced professional who will lead the development of Rotherham Council’s performing arts offer.
Centre Director at Greentop Circus - They are seeking a Centre Director to lead them in inspiring young people’s creativity and learning, strengthening communities and developing artists.
Choir Manager at the Choir With No Name - They're looking for someone with strong project management skills, able to organise projects so that members can safely access weekly rehearsals and regular gig performances.
DocFest are hiring - There are so many ways to get involved behind the scenes of Sheffield DocFest 2026, and now’s your chance. They've got a range of job vacancies open.
Get involved with ArtWorks Together Festival - This is an international festival, offering adult artists who have a learning disability, are autistic, or both, the opportunity to showcase their talents to the entire world.
 Cupola Gallery, Credit Ai Narapol
Sector resources & support
Young people are key to the future of the culture sector. We’ve gathered several resources to support them on their creative journeys, including careers guidance, mentoring schemes and more.
This site celebrates our living heritage, as part of the UK’s commitment to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can browse and submit to the inventory.
The January Challenge is 31 days of quick creative prompts designed to spark confidence, conversation and connection.
This paper challenges leaders to reimagine their organisations as conscious, caring environments where staff and creativity can genuinely thrive.
This page brings together key resources that support the development of a Decarbonisation Plan for Historic Buildings.
This Practical Guide offers a range of essential information, bespoke resources and downloadable templates that address some of the most frequently asked questions in relation to the effective governance of cultural organisations.
Putting on an event in Sheffield?
Ask yourself...
Have I submitted to the Culture Bulletin?
Have I submitted to Welcome to Sheffield?
Do I want to show off photos from my recent events/exhibitions? You can mail in your images to be platformed on the Culture Bulletin and our website!
Find many more resources on our new website!
Grants & funding
There's a number of great funds available to VCSEs in SY right now. Go to the FCS website to find out more.
With this funding, TNL want to help strengthen communities and improve lives across England.
This investment programme currently supports venues, festivals and promoters, recording studios and rehearsal spaces as well as sector bodies operating in grassroots music.
 Stand and be Counted: Fabric Of The World project, Credit Smart Jervas Banda & Khaled Al-Jawad
Call-outs
Send in your media to show off your work on our channels.
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation are inviting voluntary and community groups from across the region who have been funded by them to showcase their work and enter this special awards programme.
Energy bills rising? Carbon reduction on your radar? Be part of the conversation shaping Sheffield’s future.
British Federation of Film Societies requires match funding Pledges for its Keep Community Cinema Alive and Open to All campaign.
HM Treasury have launched a Call for Evidence seeking input on the impacts of business rates on investment and options to address barriers.
This is your chance to say 'thank you' to National Lottery players for the funding your organisation has received and to talk about what a difference that support has made in a clear and direct way.
News & interesting links
Discover Creative Careers Sheffield 2025 was a series of events curated by Create Sheffield and delivered collaboratively by organisations and artists across the city.
Showroom Cinema has appointed Johnathan Ilott as its new Head of Programming. In the role, Johnathan will oversee a diverse, curated programme that brings the best of global and independent cinema to the city.
If you work in (or are simply interested in) the creative industries, then you need to know who these people are!
£1.6 million Music Export Growth Scheme to support UK artists to go global opens up to applications
The Chancellor avoided big new cuts, but did not unlock significant new potential for the UK’s arts and culture sector.
An independent review of the Arts Council England (ACE) supported by an Advisory Panel featuring experts from across the creative sectors. What Next have a useful quick breakdown if you don't have time to read the full report.
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