27th September 2023
Seven secondary schools in Hull have been successful in applying for a grant and Hull Maritime’s support to create their artistic response and raise awareness of Hull’s maritime heritage.
Alongside these seven schools, Hull Maritime will continue to work with Sirius Academy West as they extend the pilot project into next year. Due to the quality of the proposals Hull Maritime are providing support to more schools than originally announced as it proved impossible to choose between them.
The outputs from the ‘Young Maritime Creative’ projects developed by the schools will be brought together and exhibited both physically and online in Autumn 2024. With more than £28,000 awarded, Hull Maritime will support the schools in the delivery of student-focussed creative projects incorporating a diverse range of music, design, sculpture, video, textiles and more.
The eight schools taking part are:
- Venn Boulevard Centre
- The Boulevard Academy
- The Hub School
- Frederick Holmes School
- Trinity House Academy
- Kelvin Hall School
- Sirius Academy North
- Sirius Academy West
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “'Young Maritime Creatives' is a project that aims to engage and connect local young people aged 11-16 with Hull’s fascinating seafaring past.
“The project will support Hull secondary schools to create innovative and student-focused creative works with a maritime theme. This will help learners develop new skills and connect them with their heritage.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the finished work.”


On hearing that the school was successful with their application, Vitoria Smithson at the Hub School said: “The Hub School is thrilled to have been selected to participate in the Young Maritime Creatives programme, this will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to not only experience a wide range of cultural and creative opportunities but they can really get involved in the maritime heritage of our wonderful City. We cannot wait to get started on our project!"
Francisca Hook, Art and Music Lead at Frederick Holmes School, said: “Frederick Holmes School is delighted to have been selected to participate in the Young Maritime Creatives programme. The experiences that our pupils will gain from being part of their local community and engaging in local history will be invaluable to them. Having a platform to express themselves and their responses to this, using art and music, will give them a voice and give them an opportunity to grow and flourish."
School will start working on their masterpieces and creations from the new academic year, September 2023. To support the pupils, schools can borrow objects from Hull Maritime’s handling collections as well as arrange visits from former trawlermen and maritime professionals who will talk about their life and experiences of working at sea. There will also be CPD and work experience opportunities available to the schools taking part.
Hull Maritime is a locally led project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It encompasses the redevelopment of five historic sites in Hull city centre: the transformation of the Grade II Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard and the restoration of two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.