It’s official - the race is underway
SUNDERLAND’S push to become UK City of Culture 2021 has officially begun.
The team behind the bid will formally submit their application to win the accolade to the government today.
After months of work, the team have produced a detailed prospectus of what the city would do in 2021 and show that Sunderland has everything in place to deal with such a massive event.
Should Sunderland win the title, the year-long programme of culture and art could provide a major boost to the region’s economy.
Rebecca Ball, director of Sunderland 2021, said: “We see this bid very much as an eight year strategy for the city right up to 2021.
“But there is a lot of stuff in there about legacy - we don’t want this to be a flash in the pan.
“The thing to be excited about is that this is a manifesto for the importance of culture in the city.
“We’ve seen many people getting behind it and that momentum will carry on.”
The bid itself contains a draft programme for 2021, a consultation with people in the city and a rundown of the new buildings coming to Sunderland, including a new venue and the refurbished old fire station.
Admitting she was “quietly confident” about the city’s chances of triumphing, Ms Ball added: “There are lots of cities all working equally hard and they will make strong cases.
“But we are proud of what he have achieved and we are making a compelling case.
“We’ve got a good chance because we’ve shown that we have the capacity for it and made it clear how much of an impact it would have on Sunderland.”
The bid is being written by a team from Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust, the University of Sunderland and Sunderland City Council.
It will be judged on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by an independent panel and a shortlist of four cities will be invited to submit further bids before September.
A winner will be announced in December of this year.
They hope to take on the mantle from Hull, who hold the title of UK City of Culture 2017.