YOUNG PEOPLE CAN HELP SHAPE CITY
The next generation is being given the chance to shape Sunderland’s City of Culture Bid as the competition moves into a critical stage.
Sunderland 2021 is looking to bring together a team of young people, aged between 14 and 18, to learn about the city’s bid, and to help steer the content of the submission, which is due to reach judges towards the end of April.
Team 21, as the group is being called, will see young people act as advisors to the bid writing team, help to champion the project among their peers, and develop projects that will be included in the final bid.
Rachel Hamer, who is Team 21 co-ordinator at Sunderland 2021, said: “We are determined that the City of Culture Bid we submit in April will be one that captures the hopes and ambitions of the city’s young people, who will be coming of age in 2021, when – hopefully – we will celebrate our year of culture.
“I am really looking forward to getting Team 21 in place, and would urge anyone who thinks this might be for them to get in touch with me.”
Taking part should help the team to increase their knowledge of the city and its cultural sector; develop leadership skills; learn how to organise cultural events for other young people and they will also have the chance to go on trips to see local and national arts events.
As part of Team 21, they will also have the opportunity to complete a bronze or silver Arts Award, a fully-accredited qualification.
Rebecca Ball, Sunderland 2021’s bid director, said: “Sunderland’s entry into the UK City of Culture competition is about our young people.
“It is about creating a city that today’s young people – and future generations – can be proud of, a city they want to stay in.”
The City of Culture competition will see places submit their bid by April 28, with the competition coming to a close at the end of this year.
Judges will select a winner from Coventry, Hereford, Paisley, Perth, Portsmouth, St Davids, Stoke, Sunderland, Swansea, Warrington and Wells, who have all declared that they will be bidding.
The first meeting of Team 21 will take place on Thursday.
Anyone, aged 14-18 and from Sunderland, who is interested in attending, should contact Rachel Hamer at rachel.hamer@sunderland2021.com.
For more information on the Arts Award that Team 21 will achieve, visit www.artsaward.org.uk.
“Sunderland’s entry is about our young people” REBECCA HALL