I was asked by The Drum to put the case for Leeds being appointed the UK's first city of culture.
They were asking creative businesses from all over the UK (outside of London) to put the case for their cities to be the UK's very first national city of culture as part of a new government initiative.
Here's the article in full below...
Leeds. The UK’s first city of culture?
Leeds would be a
controversial choice for the UK’s first City of Culture. No question. It would
raise more than a few eyebrows and there would be a lot of teeth gnashing in
larger, more prominent cities (naming no names).
But I believe it
would be the right choice.
There’s something
about the small scale of the city and the proximity of urban to rural that
inspires ideas. Unlike much larger cities, the compact nature of Leeds acts as
a cultural Petrie dish and cultivates ideas.
Leeds epitomises the
can do attitude of the North and this permeates all aspects of the city,
including its cultural output. Like many cities in the North, Leeds has been
transformed in the past ten years into a truly sophisticated city with all the
trappings of a modern city underpinned by the unique Leeds attitude: a
combination of sheer bloody mindedness and creativity.
Of course, many
cities would claim they could deliver this – but Leeds has plenty of examples
of this in action. If I was putting together the Leeds bid for UK City of
Culture, I’d be lifting the lid on the city’s diverse cultural scene and
shining the spotlight on some of the most creative and inspiring work in the
UK.
Design in Leeds has a
rich heritage and to this day, the design scene in the city is as strong as
ever, constantly changing and diversifying. From successful international
design companies like Elmwood to design collectives like Nous Vous, Leeds has
it all. Our reputation as grounded but highly creative rightly attracts talent
and clients from all over the UK.
The digital sector in
Leeds is growing apace with some of the most innovative thinkers in the country
plying their trade in the city. At the very cutting edge of digital inspiration
are digital agencies like Numiko, madebypi and fuse8, that’s just the tip of
the digital iceberg.
Our vibrant creative
industries are a vital component in the city’s success and unlike other cities,
they are valued and significant contributor to the growth of the city.
There’s also a
groundswell of highly creative art and cultural fusion happening in the city
right now with artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, film makers all
collaborating on projects and engaging with the wider population. It’s these
collaborations that are building a real sense of cultural boldness.
Musically, Leeds has
made its mark too with arguably the UK’s most exciting and vibrant music scenes
as the Guardian said “forget Manchester, Liverpool or Sheffield, Leeds has the
most happening music scene outside of the capital” Enough said.
Of course, Leeds has
always been internationally renowned for its artistic heritage and is home to
Opera North, Northern Ballet Theatre, The Northern School of Contemporary
Dance, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Henry Moore Institute – all cultural
powerhouses, part of one of the strongest and most influential arts scenes in
the UK.
Alongside
the usual things many cities do which allow them to lay claim to being a
cultural centre (film festivals, music festivals, art/literary stuff), I think
it's also the influence of technology that's making things so interesting round
here right now. In Leeds, we're not just doing cultural things; we're finding
new ways of doing cultural things. The various 'camps' that happen in the
city (Barcamp, Photocamp, etc) are blurring the lines of creativity in a
cultural, 'arty' sense, and creativity in the industrious, innovation sense.
Leeds
has a long history of industrial innovation that has improved our cultural
lives, and that spirit certainly thrives today. Temple Works - once a
socially-conscious, industrial building is now transforming into a colossal art
space, which will attract national and international attention.
Leeds isn’t perfect –
and no city is. Ultimately creative people thrive on the mash up that is the
modern city – the mess, the humanity, the contradiction. We need to feel we’re
at the heart of something vital. And what we also crave is the escape from this
that comes from being close to nature and of course Leeds delivers this – in
spades.
Thanks to Richard Moran for the cool skyline shot of Leeds.
