Hull UK City of Culture 2017

{{Main|UK City of Culture}}

UK City of Culture is an event held once every four years, highlighting one location in the UK and promoting arts and culture as a means of celebration and regeneration. The aim of the initiative, which is administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is to "build on the success of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture 2008, which had significant social and economic benefits for the area".{{cite web|url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/communities_and_local_government/6015.aspx|title=Derry/Londonderry will be UK City of Culture 2013|publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport|access-date=7 September 2010|archive-date=27 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927073212/http://culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/communities_and_local_government/6015.aspx|url-status=live}} The inaugural holder of the award was Derry in 2013 to 2017.

{{Anchor|Bidding and selection process for 2017}}

After Derry/Londonderry in 2013, the next UK City of Culture was scheduled for 2017. Officials from Aberdeen stated they would bid for the title,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-18428965|title=Aberdeen to prepare bid for UK City of Culture title in 2017|work=BBC News|date=12 June 2012|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616151120/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-18428965|url-status=live}} as did officials from Dundee,{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/dundee-aims-to-win-uk-city-of-culture-prize-with-festivals-bid-1.88851/|title=Dundee aims to win UK City of Culture prize with festivals bid|publisher=The Courier|date=30 April 2013|access-date=19 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603013549/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/dundee-aims-to-win-uk-city-of-culture-prize-with-festivals-bid-1.88851|archive-date=3 June 2013}} while local officials from Colchester,{{cite news|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/colchester_successful_bid_to_become_uk_s_capital_of_culture_2017_could_net_town_10million_boost_1_1697646|title=Colchester: Successful bid to become UK's Capital of Culture 2017 could net town £10million boost|publisher=EADT24|date=18 November 2012|access-date=20 November 2012|archive-date=20 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120134712/http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/colchester_successful_bid_to_become_uk_s_capital_of_culture_2017_could_net_town_10million_boost_1_1697646|url-status=live}} Derby,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8505790.stm|title=Derby considers UK Capital of Culture title bid|work=BBC News|date=9 February 2010|access-date=7 September 2010|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828192647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8505790.stm|url-status=live}} Leicester,{{cite news|url=http://www.leicester.gov.uk/cityofculture2017/|title=Leicester - City of Culture Bid|work=BBC News|access-date=9 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624185216/http://www.leicester.gov.uk/cityofculture2017/|archive-date=24 June 2013}} Plymouth,{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Competing-cities-revealed-Plymouth-prepares-City/story-18298682-detail/story.html#axzz2MVKhz2If|title=Plymouth's decision to bid for City of Culture status|work=Plymouth Evening Herald|date=3 March 2013|access-date=3 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305003239/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Competing-cities-revealed-Plymouth-prepares-City/story-18298682-detail/story.html#axzz2MVKhz2If|archive-date=5 March 2013|url-status=dead}} Stoke-on-Trent,{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/City-make-bid-UK-Capital-Culture/article-1003449-detail/article.html|title=City to make bid to be UK Capital Of Culture|work=The Sentinel|date=19 May 2010|access-date=7 September 2010|archive-date=11 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311150433/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/City-make-bid-UK-Capital-Culture/article-1003449-detail/article.html|url-status=live}} Swansea,{{cite news|url=http://www.thewave.co.uk/news/local/swansea-bays-culture-bid/|title=Swansea Bay is aiming to become the UK's City of Culture for 2017.|work=The Wave|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013|archive-date=23 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623053154/http://www.thewave.co.uk/news/local/swansea-bays-culture-bid/|url-status=live}} Hull,{{cite news|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/City-Culture-bid-Send-pictures-best-Hull/story-18510856-detail/story.html#axzz2RhO1gtrq|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505140750/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/City-Culture-bid-Send-pictures-best-Hull/story-18510856-detail/story.html%23axzz2RhO1gtrq|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=City of Culture bid: Send us your pictures to show off best of Hull|work=This is Hull and East Riding|date=25 March 2013|access-date=27 April 2013}} and York{{cite news|url=http://www.oneandother.com/articles/yorks-uk-city-of-culture-2017-bid-confirmed|title=York's UK City of Culture 2017 Bid Confirmed|work=One and Other|date=6 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210023955/http://www.oneandother.com/articles/yorks-uk-city-of-culture-2017-bid-confirmed/|archive-date=10 February 2013}} suggested that those cities would bid for the 2017 title. On 18 April 2013, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce announced that Portsmouth and Southampton were making a joint bid for the 2017 title.{{cite web|url= http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/news/All/2417|title= Business News Hampshire|publisher= Hampshire Chamber|access-date= 23 July 2013|archive-date= 19 July 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130719124902/http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/news/All/2417|url-status= live}} There was also a bid from East Kent (Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover and Thanet),{{cite news|url=http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/east_kent_bid_chiefs_submit_city_of_culture_2017_bid_with_hopes_high_1_2174264|title=East Kent bid chiefs submit City of Culture 2017 bid with hopes high - News|work=Kent News|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015105333/http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/east_kent_bid_chiefs_submit_city_of_culture_2017_bid_with_hopes_high_1_2174264|archive-date=15 October 2014|url-status=dead}} and another from Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea, supported by celebrity Graham Norton.{{cite news|url=http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/norton-s-heartfelt-plea-to-culture-judges-1-5185704 |title=Norton's heartfelt plea to culture judges - Local |work= Hastings and St. Leonards Observer|date=14 June 2013|access-date= 23 July 2013}}

In June 2013 the shortlist of four bids from Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay was announced.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22967259|title=UK City of Culture 2017 shortlist of four announced|date=19 June 2013|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=19 June 2013|archive-date=20 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620015412/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22967259|url-status=live}} The winner of the 2017 title was announced on 20 November 2013 and Hull was chosen.{{cite news

|title = Hull named UK City of Culture 2017

|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25008856

|access-date = 20 November 2013

|newspaper = BBC News

|publisher = BBC

|date = 20 November 2013

|archive-date = 20 November 2013

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131120142707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25008856

|url-status = live

}} TV producer Phil Redmond, who chaired the City of Culture panel, said Hull was the unanimous choice because it put forward "the most compelling case based on its theme as 'a city coming out of the shadows'". On 31 July 2014, Martin Green was announced as chief executive of the team. Green was previously head of ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and organised the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ ceremony in Yorkshire.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/31/hull-olympic-ceremonies-boss-2017-city-culture|title=Hull hires Olympic ceremonies boss to head 2017 city of culture team|date=31 July 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 October 2015|archive-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010010056/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/31/hull-olympic-ceremonies-boss-2017-city-culture|url-status=live}}

{{Anchor|Made in Hull}}

{{Main|Made in Hull}}

The first three-month season was intended to focus on the contribution of the city to art, industry and ideas.{{cite web| title = The Seasons| work = Hull UK City of Culture 2017| access-date = 18 January 2017| url = https://www.hull2017.co.uk/thestory/the-seasons/| archive-date = 27 January 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170127054841/https://www.hull2017.co.uk/thestory/the-seasons/| url-status = live}}

File:Hull City Hall illuminated at the opening event for Hull City of Culture 2017 event 5.jpg illuminated at the opening event for Hull City of Culture 2017 event]]

On 1 January 2017, the Hull event opened with a fireworks display over the Humber Estuary and a series of sound and light installations which reportedly attracted more than 25,000 visitors.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-38483517|title=UK City of Culture: Fireworks and projections start Hull 2017|work=BBC News |date=January 2017 |access-date=3 January 2017|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102235841/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-38483517|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04nbw7x|title=Made in Hull - the crowds keep coming

|date=4 January 2017

|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 January 2017}} By the end of the first week, the BBC was reporting that 342,000 people had participated in the opening events.{{cite news| title = 'Staggering' visitor numbers for culture city| work = BBC News| access-date = 9 January 2017| date = 9 January 2017| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-38552999| archive-date = 11 January 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170111230538/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-38552999| url-status = live}} The event included multimedia sound and light projections onto landmark buildings in the city's Victoria Square{{cite web| title = Made In Hull opens, Hull 2017 City of Culture - BBC Arts| work = BBC| date = January 2017| access-date = 9 January 2017| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04n34tx}} as well as a display of Hullywood Icons featuring local people recreating famous scenes from film.{{cite web| title = Hullywood: Peter Levy is James Bond, Hull 2017 City of Culture - BBC Arts| work = BBC| date = 5 January 2017| access-date = 9 January 2017| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04ngyld}}

The season from April to June 2017 focused on Hull as a gateway, a place of movement to and through, a celebration of migration and flux.

The third season explored the role Hull played in the emancipation movement, building on the contribution of William Wilberforce and the existing suite of summer festivals in Hull, including the Freedom Festival. At the Freedom Festival, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was awarded the Wilberforce Medallion and gave the Wilberforce Lecture at Hull City Hall, which celebrates the historic role of Hull and Wilberforce in combating the abuse of human rights.{{cite news|title=Kofi Annan gets Wilberforce honour at Freedom Festival|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-41129049|access-date=2 September 2017|work=BBC|date=2 September 2017|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903064115/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-41129049|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Wilberforce Lecture Trust|url=http://www.wilberforcelecturetrust.co.uk|publisher=Wilberforce Lecture Trust|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919235053/http://wilberforcelecturetrust.co.uk/|url-status=live}}

The 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality was marked as part of LGBT 50,{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/hull-city-culture-tour/pride-50-years|title=Hull's Pride: 50 years of LGBTQ rights|publisher=British Council|access-date=6 November 2020|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901023310/https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/hull-city-culture-tour/pride-50-years|url-status=live}} a series of events which included the title of 'UK Pride' being awarded to Pride in Hull.{{cite web |title=UK Pride |url=https://ukpon.lgbt/ukpride/ |website=UK Pride Organisers Network |access-date=9 May 2019 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509081509/https://ukpon.lgbt/ukpride/ |url-status=live }}

The closing season from October to December 2017 looked forwards and attempted to redefine the city for the future, building on the legacy of its year as UK City of Culture.

The 2017 Turner Prize was held in Hull on 5 December 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41389009|title=Turner Prize is 'most diverse to date'|first=Ian|last=Youngs|date=25 September 2017|access-date=5 December 2017|work=BBC News|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205010301/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41389009|url-status=live}}

On 31 December 2020, Hull’s tenure of the City of Culture came to an end and Coventry took over the mantle of UK City of Culture, which began in June 2021.

File:Hull City of Culture Volunteers.jpg

The events constituting all the seasons of City of Culture were staffed by volunteers working alongside paid staff.

From an initial 120 Pioneer Volunteers recruited in March 2016 through various Wave 1, 2, 3 and 4 recruitment drives, a total of 2,500 individual volunteers were signed up. Volunteers wore a uniform designed and provided by local company Arco, consisting of black trousers or shorts, blue polo shirt, jacket, baseball cap and purple backpack. Arco described the colours as 'scandalous blue', 'ludicrous purple' and 'mischievous pink'.{{cite web|url=https://www.arco.co.uk/cityofculture|title=4,000+ Hull City of Culture Volunteers to wear striking new uniforms from major partner Arco|publisher=Arco|access-date=20 May 2021|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520073327/https://www.arco.co.uk/cityofculture|url-status=live}} These made all volunteers easily identifiable and approachable by members of the public looking for assistance and advice.

The BBC reported that a report by University of Hull in March 2018 found Hull's status as the UK City of Culture attracted more than five million people, £220 million of investment and 800 new jobs.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43485141|title=Do UK Cities of Culture create legacies?|last=Bosworth|first=Mark|date=23 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423002514/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43485141|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/more/media-centre/news/2018/city-of-culture-evaluation.aspx|title=University of Hull reveals UK City of Culture 2017 evaluation {{!}} University of Hull|website=www.hull.ac.uk|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423070432/http://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/more/media-centre/news/2018/city-of-culture-evaluation.aspx|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Hull City of Culture 2017}}

• [https://www.hull2017.co.uk Hull City of Culture 2017 official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625023128/https://www.hull2017.co.uk/ |date=25 June 2018 }}

{{Kingston upon Hull|state=collapsed}}

{{UK City of Culture}}

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Category:Cultural festivals in the United Kingdom

Category:Kingston upon Hull

Category:Culture in Kingston upon Hull

Category:Hull City of Culture 2017

Category:2010s in Kingston upon Hull