Dr Geoff Willcocks, director of arts, culture and heritage at Coventry University, discusses what Coventry’s UK City of Culture 2021 win will mean for the city in a blog originally published by Insider Media.
It must have been at least three years ago that I had my first serious conversation about whether or not Coventry should bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. At the time I was asked if it was a good idea, if we stood a chance of winning and if we had the right people in place to make a plausible bid. To all these questions I was able to give a wholeheartedly positive response.
Dr Geoff Willcocks
But even though I was genuinely upbeat about our chances, there were still doubts. Coventry is the city that was devastated by the Blitz. It is the place that lost its major modern industry of car manufacture; the “Ghost Town” mourned in The Specials’ song of that name. Most (in)famously, it is where people are metaphorically sent as punishment. External perception of Coventry was not good, and, at times, even less so within the city itself. I have met many people keen to claim that Coventry as City of Culture would be an oxymoron.
However, since that initial discussion we have undertaken thousands of hours of meetings, committees, consultations, workshops, focus groups and cultural events. We have campaigned tirelessly, revealing to the wider world and to the people here that Coventry was not only capable of being a worthy winner of the title but would be an exceptional host for the next City of Culture year. Then, in December 2017, we had it confirmed that the judges felt the same when Coventry was named winner.
But what, in real terms, does it mean for the city and indeed the region? First, and most obviously, it will increase tourism. 75 per cent of England’s population live within a two hour drive of Coventry, with 1.14m people living within a 30 minute drive. The city is well served by road, rail and air.
Initial estimates put the number of visitors to Coventry over the course of the City of Culture year to be in the region of 1.8m. Not only will this provide a significant boost to the local economy through direct spend, it will also generate opportunities for investment in new hotels, infrastructure, retail and services. In total, the estimated economic benefit will be in the region of £80m within the delivery year itself.
There will be other benefits. Coventry will have the opportunity to showcase itself to the world as an ideal place to live, work and study. It is here that the new Place Partnership will play a vital role, helping to shape and coordinate the development of the city through a holistic approach which joins up all of the city’s civic, cultural, commercial and educational organisations. This is a dynamic collaboration between such previously diverse groups and organisations as Coventry Cathedral, the Ricoh Arena, Culture Coventry, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Historic Coventry Trust as well as the two universities – ourselves and Warwick – which gives the city’s plans for growth realistic sustainability.
Coventry will be able to use culture and creativity to unlock its potential in terms of commerce and trade. Winning the title will also enhance the city’s ability to do what it has always done best – innovate. Potential future innovation lies in part in Coventry’s creative and digital industries. With predictions pointing towards a high number of current jobs becoming automated over the next 50 years, creativity will become an increasingly important feature of the skills market. Jobs with a creative component are amongst the least likely to be replaced. So, the City of Culture celebration is the ideal opportunity to explore how creative skills will be required by the UK’s future workforce.
I believe, however, the true value of Coventry’s year as City of Culture will not be seen in 2021 but will be realised by its legacy over the succeeding decades. The city recently published its ten year Cultural Strategywhich is a vitally important part of this process, mapping, as it does, goals and ‘big ideas’ to help drive the city’s social and economic growth via cultural and creative development through to 2027.
Legacy, of course, is only truly achievable if it is allied to sustainability. Funding one-off, ephemeral projects has to be seen as thing of the past and the focus needs to shift to backing projects that have demonstrable long-term benefits and outcomes.
An excellent cultural example as to how Coventry is leading the way in this respect is the recent agreement between Coventry City Council and the Historic Coventry Trust, which was founded with the help of Coventry University Social Enterprise. The agreement sees the largest ever transfer of historic and heritage propertiesfrom a Council to a Trust in the UK, thus securing the future of these historic properties for generations to come.
This move is being heralded across the UK as a ground-breaking innovation in civic heritage management, embracing as it does respect for our past, creativity, skills development (both new and traditional) and communities.
Overall, Coventry’s year as City of Culture needs to be seen as much more than just an arts festival – important though that is. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for growth, investment, development and meaningful legacy, which reaches far beyond the cultural and into the social, economic and civic regeneration of Coventry itself.
Very interesting details you have noted, thanks for posting.
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart. “Billy Almon has all of his inlaw and outlaws here this afternoon.” by Jerry Coleman.
Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity on your submit is just cool and i could suppose you are a professional in this subject. Well together with your permission let me to grasp your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thank you a million and please continue the gratifying work.
Hello! I simply want to give a huge thumbs up for the nice info you have got right here on this post. I shall be coming again to your weblog for more soon.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering
if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my
comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems
finding one? Thanks a lot!
Here is my blog – vpn 2024
excellent points altogether, you just won a new reader.
What may you suggest about your put up that you simply made a few days ago?
Any sure?
my page – vpn 2024
What’s up, after reading this awesome paragraph i am also happy to share my
experience here with friends.
Also visit my web-site: vpn special
This really answered my downside, thanks!
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited
from your writing. Cheers!
My site: vpn code 2024
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Hello there, I found your blog by way of Google while looking for
a similar topic, your website came up, it appears to be like good.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog thru Google, and located that it’s truly
informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll
be grateful in case you continue this in future.
Many other people might be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Take a look at my website :: vpn special code
whoah this weblog is great i like reading your articles.
Stay up the good work! You recognize, many people are searching around for this information, you could help them greatly.
My website vpn special
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
It¦s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this web site, likewise I conceive the layout has got wonderful features.
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really frustrating. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for keeping this web site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Wow, marvelous weblog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
you make running a blog look easy. The total glance of your web site is fantastic,
as neatly as the content material! You can see
similar here e-commerce
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.
Right now it appears like WordPress is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
I’m really impressed with your writing talents and also with the format on your blog. Is this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Superb work!
I was reading some of your articles on this internet site and I think this internet site is really instructive! Keep posting.
This actually answered my drawback, thank you!
Yay google is my king aided me to find this outstanding web site! .
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you place to create this type of fantastic informative website.
Thanks – Enjoyed this post, can I set it up so I get an alert email when you write a new article?
I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
I discovered your weblog site on google and examine a couple of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for ahead to studying extra from you later on!…
Some truly nice and useful info on this site, as well I believe the layout contains superb features.
I feel that is among the so much significant information for me. And i am satisfied reading your article. But wanna commentary on few common things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is in reality great : D. Excellent activity, cheers
I like the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great blog posts.
I’ve read some good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a fantastic informative web site.
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Spot on with this write-up, I truly suppose this website needs much more consideration. I’ll in all probability be again to read rather more, thanks for that info.
great put up, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Fantastic job!
Appreciating the hard work you put into your website and in depth information you offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on facebook vs eharmony to find love online.
Regards
Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice is a dietary supplement that helps in losing weight.
Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I visited a lot of website but I believe this one has got something extra in it in it
I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours as of late, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It?¦s pretty value enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the net can be a lot more useful than ever before.
Appreciate it for helping out, wonderful info. “The health of nations is more important than the wealth of nations.” by Will Durant.
I believe this is among the such a lot important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some common things, The website style is ideal, the articles is actually great : D. Excellent job, cheers
You have mentioned very interesting details ! ps nice site.
Keep working ,great job!
What is Gluco6 Supplement? Gluco6 is a blend of doctor-formulated ingredients promising to help users develop healthy blood sugar ranges.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality
blogs on the web. I’m going to highly recommend this site!
Also visit my homepage; eharmony special coupon code 2024
You have observed very interesting details! ps nice internet site.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” by Rotarian.
I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely enjoy reading all that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!