Moore encourages Scottish cities to bid for UK City of Culture 2017
Secretary of State Michael Moore welcomes the announcement to find the UK's City of Culture for 2017.
The bidding process to become UK City of Culture will help Scotland’s cities recognise and harness their own outstanding qualities, the Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said today as a nationwide contest to find the UK’s next City of Culture was launched by DCMS Minister Ed Vaizey.
The competition, which comes in the same week that Derry-Londonderry officially kicks off its year as the first ever UK City of Culture, is designed to use culture and creativity as a catalyst for economic growth by transforming communities, as well as showcasing artistic talent.
Those cities interested in submitting bids to be UK City of Culture 2017 are invited to register interest with DCMS by the end of February. Bids for the 2017 competition must then be received by the end of April after which they will be assessed by an Independent Advisory Panel with the aim of announcing a shortlist in June. A winner from that shortlist will then be announced in November.
The Secretary of State said:
“I welcome today’s announcement. Becoming the UK City of Culture for 2017 has the potential to act as a catalyst for encouraging further ambition and economic growth and I would strongly encourage Scottish cities to bid for this prestigious title.
“Scotland’s cities have a rich cultural history and each has their own unique traits of innovation and creation. The bidding process to become the UK’s next City of Culture will only help Scotland’s cities further recognise and harness their own outstanding qualities.”