Judges Reveal The Reasons For Hull’s Culture Success

As the calendar has now clicked over another year, Hull’s big year as the UK City of Culture in 2017 seems just that little bit nearer. In a timely interview, the judges of the final short list that also included Dundee, Swansea and Leicester have provided a little bit more information on how their thinking formulated the final choice.

With an estimation of a cash boost in the region of £60 million in 2017 alone, there was much talk during the Hull bid of ensuring a lasting legacy. It appears that this was one of the main points that struck a chord with the judges. It also appears that Hull demonstrated how culture plays such an important part in its city plan and the interesting focus on architecture and places and use of spaces and buildings. It also highlights evidence of engagement to date at a grassroots level across the city, strong support from the private sector and the active role played by the University of Hull in the bid.

A year closer to the big event!

Speaking after the city was announced as the winner last month, Councillor Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for Hull City of Culture 2017 said: "Our City of Culture year will provide us with the building blocks to grow. Over the next three years, we will put the scaffolding up and around the city and build the infrastructure needed to ensure we attract business and increase investment in 2017 and beyond."

The judges said that they were also impressed with the wide-ranging proposed programme, which incorporates national and international elements. Plans include a 365-day programme, with an estimated 1,500 special events, including 15 national and international commissions, 12 artists' residencies, 25 festivals and eight major community participation projects, plus conferences and broadcasting events.

The city is set to celebrate winning the UK City of Culture 2017 title with a commemorative event in the new year. The event, which was initially planned to take place before Christmas but will now take place next year, will be themed around the idea of "a city coming out of the shadows", highlighting Hull's rich cultural past and future potential.

Judges' reasons for choosing Hull -

• The city demonstrated why culture is such an important part of its city plan.

• The focus on legacy and the commitment by the council to enhance funding beyond 2017.

• Evidence of engagement to date at a grassroots level across Hull, the strong support from the private sector and the Creative People and Places programme.

 • The active role played by the University of Hull in the bid.

• The wide-ranging proposed programme, which incorporates national and international elements.

• The clarity on how different groups will be engaged and how positive social impacts will be delivered.

• The freedom theme in the programme and the use of culture to explore challenging issues such as slavery.

• The panel was impressed with the excellent international links Hull has already made and is building: to be part of Europe linked to the Baltic, to Sierra Leone and South Africa.

• The interesting focus on architecture and places and use of spaces and buildings.