York The City Of Culture

The vision for culture is to encourage creative expression and talent, to promote the cultural sector's contribution to York's economy and to inspire entrepreneurs to develop cultural enterprises in the city.

Our top priority in turning that vision into reality is to develop York as a world-class City of Festivals.

Our vision is ambitious, but achievable. We aim to make York more eventful for everyone, resident and visitor alike. The City of Festivals programme will enhance the quality of life for the people of York and improve the visitor experience.

We will launch the City of Festivals next year. And what a year it promises to be, with the unique opportunity of the Royal Ascot festival being held in York next June.

2005 will also be the 60th anniversary of VE Day. There are plans for a Shakespeare in the Park Festival and the Guildhall orchestra will mark its 25th anniversary. Unique opportunities.

But look also at the fabulous line-up of festivals we have already. York's second Chinese New Year Festival will be held in February, as will the Viking Festival. We have Music Live, the Comedy Festival, the Food and Drink Festival, Dragon Boat racing, Early Music Festival, Learning Festival, Sightsonic and St Nicholas Fayre to name just a few.

York @ Large aims to expand the existing festival programme so that all year round there is something going on - a reason for residents to get out and about and a reason for tourists to visit.

But to be a world class festival city we must set ourselves up against places such as Edinburgh or Bath. We need to use our strengths as a natural festival city, with a great historic backdrop for our thriving cultural offering.

So what about the practicalities?

At the very heart of this proposal is the setting up of a Festival Office, which is essential to actually make the thing work. A central location will be needed so that residents and visitors can easily pop in. Talks are underway with key partners to try to get the office established at the end of the year.

York @ Large has set up a marketing committee to develop a strategy to market the City of Festivals brand. The brand will sit easily alongside other key brands in York such as Science City and Live the History. It can also be used to promote individual festivals.

Support from the City of York Council will be essential if the vision is to succeed. I am delighted to report that a Cultural Events Officer has been appointed who will work with York @ Large to turn the vision into reality.

There are a number of key challenges to address. We carried out a survey earlier this year of a number of events organisations in York. They told us about obstacles with venues, licensing, finance and event management support.

But hurdles are there to be overcome. Funding bids will be required and barriers must be addressed.

The City of Festivals concept has received the unanimous backing of the Without Walls board. Together, we can transform York into a world-class festival city.

What's the aim?

Celebrating York's diversity and uniqueness to promote a culture that helps build a confident and creative community, welcomes and inspires residents and visitors and encourages opportunities for fun and fulfilment open to all.

What issues do we face?

There is concern about the lack of cultural diversity in York

The city's older population is set to rise by 12 per cent by 2021 while the younger population feels poorly provided for

Nearly half of York people are physically inactive

York needs to develop a more modern, cosmopolitan outlook while at the same time retaining what is good about its image and flagship tourist attractions

What can we do?

Articulate a sense of what York is by celebrating what's here and championing the cultural sector

lRaise aspirations by inspiring citizens to do new things and try new experiences

Create change by aiming to be cosmopolitan, vibrant, innovative, creative and modern

Encourage creative expression and talent by inspiring entrepreneurs to develop cultural enterprise in the city

Get more people involved by creating a plan for investment in the cultural infrastructure

Use all of our resources by maximising the opportunities to enjoy parks, rivers and open space

What will we do?

We will work in partnership with First Stop York to build the Festival City. An annual Festival of the Rivers will realise the objective of making more of York's waterways.

The vision will look for opportunities to build on the success of other festivals and to build community participation.

We will aim to increase investment in the city's cultural infrastructure by creating a strategic plan. A Sport and Active Leisure Strategy will aim to increase participation in sport, play and active lifestyles.

Promotion and marketing with City of York Council and other key partners will help to remove barriers to filling the city with events.

Success would see a rise in the percentage of residents and visitors satisfied with the cultural offering available to them and to have the highest levels of participation in sport and active lifestyles of any city in the country.

Further success would see a rise in the percentage of non-York residents who see the city as their cultural destination of choice.

Updated: 12:41 Thursday, July 22, 2004