£5m investment in Coventry City of Culture legacy

£5m has been committed to maintain the impact of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.

Starting in June, Coventry City of Culture Trust will launch a new phase of programming, expected to reach more than 500,000 audience members, secure 32 full-time jobs and support more than 50 freelance artists and cultural workers over two years.

George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said becoming UK City of Culture was “not just about the year itself but about building a lasting legacy that would benefit local people and organisations”.

The City Hosts volunteer programme will be extended and other legacy projects pursued, including the return of the Assembly Festival Garden and the launch of the U.K.’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery, the Reel Store, in May.

There will be a focus on “the urgent and critical issue of sustainability” and a new grants programme will be established, the trust added.