Coventry Plans Diverse and Inclusive UK City Of Culture For 2021

Coventry is still reeling from the good news, last week that they have succeeded in its bid to become the Uk’s City of Culture in 2021. Now the hard work begins to present the best possible regeneration programme and show just how innovative the city best-known for Coventry Cathedral and Ska band The Specials can be.

“It has brought so many people and organisations together” – Laura McMillan

Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture will promote “Diversity and inclusivity” at the heart of their promise to make this the best event ever. It took two years of hard work and hundreds of thousands in investment to secure the prize to become UK’s cultural capital in 2021. We did it, Coventry!! Phil Redmond and the culture minister John Glen MP lent support at Coventry’s Fargo market hall which hosted the announcement.

Laura McMillan, Manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust: “It’s been a bid by and for the people of Coventry. It has brought so many people and organisations together, and this is just the start. Over the next three years, we will ensure that everyone in the city, which has been moving people by cycle car and jet engine, is now moving people through culture.”

We want to thank every single one of you for being a part of the bid. We want to thank all our trustees, Coventry City Council, Coventry and Warwick Universities, the West Midlands Combined Authority and every business, artist and individual that has supported us along the way. In just two years ago this bid has put Coventry back on the map, and this is only the beginning.

Work will start away as we prepare to put on the greatest show that Coventry has ever seen over an incredible 12 months!

Coventry’s 2021 programme will include a Street of Culture programme co-producing work in local communities. The first build-up event will be the UK’s first Shop Front Theatre Festival from 23-24th March 2018, and the city will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Cathedral with a major new lighting commission.

A 2.2-mile Ring Road poem is set to one of the digital centrepieces of 2021 along with major productions by the RSC and the screening of the entire works of Shakespeare in iconic locations.

An artist-led festival called ‘Moments of Silence’ will create moments of silence and beauty and reflect on the city’s 700-year-old Carthusian monastery Charterhouse and play on the myth of being ‘Sent to Coventry’.

Building on the success of the 95-year-Old Indian Photographer Masterji’s exhibition, the city will develop a project Tale of Two Streets which looks at two of the most diverse streets in Britain through the eyes of photographers.

We weren’t sent to Coventry, we chose to come, and we can’t share our city with the world!

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