The City of Culture can bring real benefits to applicants, writes Ben Cooper, but reform is needed so more communities can participate.
Next month, either Bradford, County Durham, Southampton or Wrexham County Borough will be announced as UK City of Culture 2025. Whichever place wins will spend the year in the cultural spotlight, telling their local story on a national stage and reaching out to local communities who do not traditionally engage with arts and culture.
Established by the last Labour Government, UK City of Culture has brought real benefits to past recipients of the award: Derry-Londonderry, Hull, and Coventry. And inspired by the national example, local initiatives have been created: Sadiq Khan launched the London Borough of Culture; Andy Burnham created the Town of Culture in Greater Manchester; and Steve Rotherham announced the Borough of Culture in Liverpool City Region. These initiatives are now a prominent part of the cultural landscape.
Our Fabian Society research paper, Cultured Communities, concluded that Hull did benefit significantly from its 2017 award. For example, there was an increase in people feeling proud to live in Hull and connected to their local community during UK City of Culture. Over 2,400 people volunteered as part of the ‘City of Culture Volunteers’, with significant personal wellbeing improvements for those involved...Keep reading on Left Food Forward.
Next month, either Bradford, County Durham, Southampton or Wrexham County Borough will be announced as UK City of Culture 2025. Whichever place wins will spend the year in the cultural spotlight, telling their local story on a national stage and reaching out to local communities who do not traditionally engage with arts and culture.
Established by the last Labour Government, UK City of Culture has brought real benefits to past recipients of the award: Derry-Londonderry, Hull, and Coventry. And inspired by the national example, local initiatives have been created: Sadiq Khan launched the London Borough of Culture; Andy Burnham created the Town of Culture in Greater Manchester; and Steve Rotherham announced the Borough of Culture in Liverpool City Region. These initiatives are now a prominent part of the cultural landscape.
Our Fabian Society research paper, Cultured Communities, concluded that Hull did benefit significantly from its 2017 award. For example, there was an increase in people feeling proud to live in Hull and connected to their local community during UK City of Culture. Over 2,400 people volunteered as part of the ‘City of Culture Volunteers’, with significant personal wellbeing improvements for those involved...Keep reading on Left Food Forward.