Catalogue description Department for Culture, Media and Sport and successors: Bids for UK City of Culture (2013 onwards)

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Details of PF 231
Reference: PF 231
Title: Department for Culture, Media and Sport and successors: Bids for UK City of Culture (2013 onwards)
Description:

This series comprises born-digital records for the UK City of Culture competition, for the initial year of 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Bids refer to the geographical area covered and explain why a city should be designated as a UK City of Culture. They also describe the overall vision and programme behind the proposal, including the main themes, activities, events and impact on the local community. As part of their business case cities generally explain:

  • what would be distinctive and innovative about their cultural programme
  • how they plan to deliver cultural excellence
  • which partnerships and networks would be involved
  • what venues they intend to use or build upon
  • how they intend to extend participation in arts and culture amongst the residents
  • how they would ensure diversity in the cultural and artistic programme.
Note: The date for these records is the date of creation, as there was uncertainty around the 'last modified' date, which is generally used to date born-digital records. Some information in five of these records was originally redacted by the bidders before submitting their applications to the government department. Therefore DCMS was only able to transfer to The National Archives the bids as they had been received.
Date: 2010-2017
Arrangement:

Most of the files are in portable document format (PDF), with a few Microsoft Word files. They are arranged under a folder structure for each year.

References for born digital records are automatically generated and display a 'Z' after a forward slash, which distinguish them from traditional references allocated to paper and digitised records.
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 1997-

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, 2017-
Physical description: 50 digital record(s)
Access conditions: Open unless otherwise stated
Immediate source of acquisition:

from 2017 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Accumulation dates: 2010 onwards
Accruals: Further accruals are anticipated.
Administrative / biographical background:

The UK City of Culture:

The UK City of Culture title is designed to use culture as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration and raise the profile of arts and creativity locally and across the country. It also helps cities develop a broader high quality arts and culture sector, attract increased business investment and boost tourism.

The UK City of Culture competition has been held every four years starting in 2013. Cities bid for the title four years prior to the title year. Cities submit an initial bid and, if shortlisted, a final bid.

  • UK City of Culture 2013: Authorities that submitted a bid for the 2013 City of Culture were: Derry City Council, Birmingham City Council, Norwich City Council, Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Council, Carlisle City Council, Chichester City Council, Cornwall County Council, Durham County Council, Hull City Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Southend Borough Council, and City and County of Swansea Council. The winning city was Derry - Londonderry.
  • UK City of Culture 2017: Authorities that submitted a bid for the 2017 City of Culture were Aberdeen City Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Dundee City Council, Hastings Borough Council, East Kent, Hull City Council, Leicester City Council, Plymouth City Council, Portsmouth City Council with Southampton City Council, Southend Borough Council, and City and County of Swansea Council. The winning city was Hull.
  • UK City of Culture 2021: Authorities that submitted a bid for the 2021 City of Culture were Wells City Council, Herefordshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, St Davids City Council, Warrington Borough Council, Coventry City Council, Renfrewshire Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Sunderland City Council, Portsmouth City Council, and City and County of Swansea Council. The winning city was Coventry.

DCMS Responsibility:

The Arts, Libraries and Digital Culture Team is currently the team responsible for UK City of Culture policy and is part of the Arts, Heritage and Tourism Directorate at DCMS. DCMS awards the title of 'UK City of Culture' following assessment of bids and advice from an Independent Advisory Panel. The Arts, Libraries and Digital Culture Team maintains a relationship with the winning Local Authority and/or the relevant UK City of Culture delivery body, and licences the use of the UK City of Culture brand. Although there is no guaranteed funding attached to the UK City of Culture title, DCMS has facilitated funding bids from the Exchequer by the winning Local Authority.

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