Photo credit - Mollie Howells

The University of Sussex continues its vibrant partnership with Towner Eastbourne through the Future Makers programme—an inspiring initiative that brings together art, education, and civic engagement.

Future Makers is a schools programme designed to spark creativity in Year 9 pupils from Eastbourne through hands-on, artist-led workshops. The programme encourages young people to consider creative subjects at GCSE and supports the development of creative skills and careers.

This collaboration with University of Sussex was first initiated in 2023 when Towner Eastbourne hosted the Turner Prize Future Makers is now entering its third year and expanding its reach and impact.

In 2025–26, 140 Year 9 students will take part in two workshop days at Towner Gallery. Around 25 University of Sussex students across three Faculties studying Art History, Education, Child Psychology, and Childhood & Youth will support these sessions, receiving training from Towner’s Skills and Opportunities Producer and contributing to the workshops, evaluation, and creative documentation.

Reflecting on her experience from a previous year, Sussex student and trainee teacher Ellie Briffitt shared:

“Helping out at the Future Makers Year 9 workshop was both a rewarding and eye-opening experience.

One of the many highlights for me was seeing the Year 9 students engage with enthusiasm and curiosity. The energy and creativity they brought to the activities reminded me of the importance of having a playful and supportive environment for learning. Another highlight was the opportunity to work alongside qualified teachers and professional artists. Observing their techniques for managing a diverse group of students gave me practical strategies for handling a range of dynamics in the classroom.”

The programme also supports research into creative wellbeing, using UCL’s Creative Wellbeing Measures Toolkit to evaluate impact. Reflections from Sussex students, including written and audio pieces, contribute to an evolving archive that will inform future iterations of the programme—especially as Towner prepares to expand to a second site at Black Robin Farm.

This initiative exemplifies the university’s commitment to long term partnership working with our cultural and heritage partners through civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This initiative is made possible in 25/26 by MAH’s Educational Enrichment Fund and Careers and Entrepreneurship funding. For further information please contact Helen McAleer, Head of Library, Culture & Heritage Civic Engagement and Ryann Donnelly, Assistant Professor in Art History.