Connecting communities via culture-led regeneration - exploring incentive and momentum with UK City of Culture 2013 shortlisted candidates
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Biotechnology Centre
Abstract
This report summarises the activities and outcomes of the Cultural Cities Research Network, convened in March 2011 to discuss the impact of bidding for the UK City of Culture 2013 title with three shortlisted cities including Sheffield, Norwich and Birmingham. Findings indicate that the competition acted as a powerful catalyst in galvanising cities to think more strategically about their cultural offer, identity and heritage within a national context and in comparison to other drivers. Connections between relevant communities of practice and interest are strengthened considerably; issues of responsibility and representation however appear to limit the extent to which different residential, cultural or social communities engage in the bidding process. Network members expressed an interest in forming a wider learning community that would help to consider and demonstrate the true cultural value of the cultural title, and have identified a number of learning outcomes and recommendations for the on-going UK City of Culture programme, and emerging research questions on dimensions of the 'cultural city' including issues of cultural entitlement, collaboration, place-making and leadership.
| Description | Funded under the Creative Economy strand of the Connected Communities programme, the Cultural Cities Research Network was formed in March 2011 to discuss the impact of bidding for the UK City of Culture 2013 title. Network members included different individuals and communities involved with or interested in the bidding process from the three shortlisted cities of Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield, such as local authority representatives, academic researchers, arts and cultural organisations, plus other businesses, services and professions across public, private and voluntary sectors. Together the network considered what connects cities during the shared experience of bidding for cultural titles, including situated contexts, motivations and expectations, and the impact of bidding upon the policy-making process; the role of the creative economy in city strategies; and connections between different communities. In a balanced consideration of the bidding process, findings indicate that the competition acted as a powerful catalyst in galvanising cities to think more strategically about their cultural offer, identity and heritage within a national context and in comparison to other drivers. Connections between relevant [professional] communities of practice and interest are strengthened considerably; there are limits however to the extent to which different residential, cultural or social communities become engaged at the bidding stages. Risks associated with bidding for high-profile cultural titles are also outlined - highlighting considerations for future bidding cities and those inspired by the 'promise' of culture-led regeneration. Network members identified a number of learning outcomes and recommendations for the UK City of Culture advisory panel, and emerging research questions on dimensions of the 'cultural city' including issues of cultural entitlement, collaboration, place-making and leadership. The network was led by Kerry Wilson (Principal Investigator), Head of Research at the Institute of Cultural Capital in Liverpool, in association with Co-investigators Dr David O'Brien of City University London and Prof. Ian Grosvenor of the University of Birmingham. Regional events throughout 2011, including three full-day research seminars, were supported by partners Sheffield City Council, Norwich City Council and Birmingham City Council. The final network event took place on 22nd May 2012 at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, where the outcomes of regional discussions were shared with the wider academic community. Panel members including Dr Jonathan Vickery, University of Warwick; Dr Roberta Comunian, University of Kent; Dr Oliver Mould, University of Salford; and Dr Peter Campbell, University of Liverpool, gave insightful responses drawing upon their own research on cultural policy and creative industries. |
| Exploitation Route | The final report will be of interest to cities and creative communities within them within the context of bidding for cultural titles, especially as the UK City of Culture programme progresses. Furthermore it is of interest to cultural policy decision makers and relevant communities of practice and interest on regional, national and international scales. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy |
| URL | http://iccliverpool.ac.uk/?research=cultural-cities-research-network |
| Description | Presentation at first AHRC Cities of Culture research network meeting at University of Hull |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Cities of Culture research network is bringing together academics, researchers, consultants and policy makers to enhance understanding and development of the UK City of Culture (UKCoC) programme. The network is led by Professor Franco Bianchini of the University of Hull's Culture, Place and Policy Institute, and Jonothan Neelands, Professor of Creative Education at the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies, University of Warwick. I was invited to the workshop to share reflections on my own AHRC-funded research network dedicated to the UKCoC programme, the Cultural Cities Research Network (2011-12). In my presentation, I shared network highlights including core objectives, activities and outputs, and my reflections as Principal Investigator on the political, pragmatic and ethical dimensions of running a research network dedicated to such a high profile cultural programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://iccliverpool.ac.uk/icc-academics-participate-in-ahrc-funded-cities-of-culture-research-networ... |