Plymouth aims to be UK City of Culture in 2017
AN AMBITIOUS move for Plymouth to become the UK City of Culture 2017 has been revealed.
Initial talks are taking place between a city arts figure and civic leaders with a view to a bid being launched for the prestigious title.
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Speaking yesterday at a press conference on Plymouth College of Art's plans for its own free school, its principal Professor Andrew Brewerton, said Plymouth could be the "ideal" candidate.
Boasting such a title could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs and a boost to tourism, as well as a lasting legacy.
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The City of Culture tag allows the host city to devise a programme of events and projects which reflects its identity, showcases its culture and raises its profile, opening the doors to increased private investment and regeneration.
"In 2014 applications for the UK City of Culture 2017 have got to be made," said Prof Brewerton.
"What if, as a city, we went into the application round for this with a radical arts project, so that Plymouth becomes more of a place of arrival and less of a place where people leave on boats.
"That is our vision. We are having this conversation with our partners in the city.
"There is a ground swell out there and there are other cities preparing bids.
"Plymouth is an ideal candidate. It would create the most amazing dress rehearsal for celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the voyage of The Mayflower in 2020."
Prof Brewerton said the consideration for Plymouth to become the UK City of Culture 2017 came on the back of the hugely-popular British Art Show 7 staged last year.
"As a venue for the British Art Show 7, Plymouth College of Art welcomed 9,000 visitors to its gallery space and – ignoring the sceptics – Plymouth people showed in their tens-of-thousands an open curiosity and interest in contemporary art," he said.
"In the wake of this Plymouth has a short window of opportunity to position itself – by means of a radical arts education project and the further legacy of a recurring signature arts event (in shorthand, an international art biennial) – as the perfect candidate for UK City of Culture 2017."
He added: "The question is how we bring it together, and what form it will take.
"We have a lot of the infrastructure now, but we have got to develop the energy for this from creativity through to employment."
Inspired by Liverpool's success as European Capital of Culture in 2008, the Government launched a UK City of Culture competition.
Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland was named as the UK's first City of Culture in 2010 ahead of bids from Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield.
It will host a huge number of events next year as the 'City of Culture'.
Experts believe the accolade will create up to 3,000 jobs in the Londonderry area and provide a massive boost to tourism.
See Page 17 for the latest on Plymouth College of Art's plans for its own free school.
Comments
by RoOTate
Thursday, January 26 2012, 1:39PM
“Haven't stopped laughing since I read this, what has Plymouth got to offer - Nothing.”
by puffing_billy
Thursday, January 26 2012, 11:26AM
“Potentially a great City, totally ruined by many who live here. "People will never allow the culling of that many Chavs - it just won`t happen." Pogle63 - wish I'd said that.”
by hutanbakau
Thursday, January 26 2012, 10:33AM
“You must be joking: Plymouth!”
by hstmtu4000
Thursday, January 26 2012, 9:09AM
“Comparing Plymouth with Liverpool/Glasgow etc is not really valid as they at least they have decent transports links to get people there,ie a decent airport/well invested fast rail links and a motorway link(Exeter!),without these necessary links nothing much is going to take root in Plymouth for the foreseeable least of all culture.”
by leroc
Thursday, January 26 2012, 8:25AM
“It's a great idea! At last someone with positive thinking and ambition for the City. Who would have guessed years ago that Liverpool would have achived this status - and Glasgow.
Ignore the doom mongers on here and press ahead with it!”
by pogle63
Thursday, January 26 2012, 7:57AM
“People will never allow the culling of that many Chavs - just won`t happen.”
by PL1Plym
Thursday, January 26 2012, 4:20AM
“Plymouth is full of culture.... it's like that stuff you get in yogurts yeh?”
by mcspredder
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 11:32PM
“Plymouth and Culture - not two words often heard in the same sentence.
Another meaningless buzz-word? What happened to the Discovery theme of years ago, (apart from the Discovery Centre shutting down) and the Devon Expressway which is only a dual carriageway without any special priviledges regarding speed.
Might come in useful to justify London prices at the theatre....”
by MPstink1
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 11:29PM
“yet another idea to benefit Plymouth?????? Every 6 months the Penguin, Barry Kleanex, Wet
wipes Wiggy,and the "eavens almighty windbag" spout forth their usual rubbish!
Just review the disgraceful incompetent record of PCC. over the last decades!
Gydnia Way has been their clowning glory???? I feel sick from their abuse of tax payers.”
by Bavaria
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 9:37PM
“Glasgow
Liverpool
Why Not....
THE COUNCIL.”