RESIDENTS are asked to back the bid for Southampton to become City of Culture 2025.
Groups, businesses, universities and local residents are to come under one roof today as the annual Cultural City Conference returns.
Participants will be discussing how to embed culture into the future ambitions of Southampton as the city is preparing to bid to become City of Culture 2025.
Here in an open letter published below, councillor Satvir Kaur, cabinet member for homes and culture at Southampton City Council, said it is time to pick up the baton and get the city ready for the next level and journey ahead.
"SOUTHAMPTON has announced it will be bidding to become UK City of Culture 2025, which has the ability to transform our city, inspire a generation and benefit everyone.
"I’m proud to be born and bred in Southampton. As some of you know, I grew up on free school meals in the inner city, believing the world of culture wasn’t for people like me.
Cllr Satvir Kaur
"It’s only recently that I realised I grew up surrounded by culture but just didn’t put a label on it. Our culture goes beyond just art galleries and theatres, for me it’s the things that make life worth living, from chanting at St Mary’s to celebrating our rich heritage. If we are truly committed to becoming UK City of Culture, it needs to be meaningful to everyone.
"From the guy who owns the corner shop down the road, to kids growing up in the Thornhill estate; whatever your age, background or race, Southampton as UK City of Culture needs to benefit you!
"This isn’t culture for culture’s sake, but using it as an engine to create city pride, grow the local economy and address our city’s social needs.
"Here is Southampton, culture is putting us on the map, creating local jobs and attracting thousands of people every month, while bringing people together with an events programme that guarantees something is always happening.
Opening of the NST Theatre in Southampton
"Importantly, cultural organisations are already working with children from our most deprived communities to raise aspirations and develop employment and skills; culture is being used to tackle mental health and drug addiction; and an art initiative set up in Southampton to reduce re-offending, is now being rolled out and used as best practice nationally.
God's House Tower which is to open as a new £3.1 million arts and heritage venue in Southampton
"Successful cities of culture like Hull, have completely transformed their city through this process; £2billion worth of investment, hundreds of new local jobs, almost everyone engaging in cultural activity which has had a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing. There is no reason why Southampton cannot achieve the same.
"We are the only city in the region going for UK City of Culture and it’s never been hosted in the South. This is a rare opportunity and we need to grab it with both hands. We’ll always have the same issues that come hand in hand with being a growing urban city, but those should never hinder our ambition or pride.
"This is bigger than politicians and party politics. This is bigger than individuals or things that may have worked in the past.
"This is why the Council, the business community and the universities have come together to commit to ensuring we have the best model to achieve success. This means redirecting funding given to Southampton’s Cultural Trust and building on what they have already achieved for our city.
"We owe them a huge thank you for their work. Now is the time however, to pick up the baton and get us ready for the next level and journey ahead.
The musical Hairspray at the Mayflower Theatre
"This is the start of that journey, and it’s our job to ensure no one is left behind. Today’s Cultural City Conference organised by SCDT is an opportunity for those working in the sector to get together, but our conversations about what our bid to become City of Culture will look like, will involve and be as much about the people that couldn’t attend or didn’t think it was for them, as it will be for those that did.
Music in the City in Southampton
"We want to do this with local communities not to them. We’re the caretakers for the next generation. I want my nieces and nephews and everyone in Southampton to grow up believing this is a city to be proud of, full of ambition and one that offers opportunities to all. UK City of Culture can help make that happen, but we will only get there together."
Satvir Kaur
Cabinet member for homes and culture at Southampton City Council
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