Information about Carlisle's UK City of Culture bid

In this section you can find out about our bid, who backed the bid, and additional questions we were asked by assessors.

Your questions, answered...

What is this about?

On 11 December Carlisle submitted its initial bid for UK City of Culture 2013. The bid - 'Carlisle: The Once and Future City' - is a collaboration that sets out how the cultural title could showcase Carlisle’s unique history, current potential, and create a lasting economic and social legacy. The themes of enterprise, belonging, and environment run through the cultural programme.

On 14 January a contingent from Carlisle attended a clarification meeting with competition assessors, as part of the bidding process. You can read the clarification questions and our answers in this section.

We found out in February that Carlisle didn't make the shortlist but partners have pledged that Carlisle’s bid, ‘The Once and Future City’, will remain the blueprint for unlocking the economic and social benefits of a vibrant cultural offer for local people and businesses. The bid was put together on behalf of a range of partners with a stake in the city’s future success, including Carlisle Renaissance, Carlisle City Council, Carlisle Tourism Partnership, CN Group, Kendal Arts International, University of Cumbria and Culture Cumbria. Together partners will build on the momentum created by the formal bid to realise goals relating to jobs, Carlisle’s visitor economy, a cultural programme for the city and spin-off benefits such as new investment and match-funding opportunities.

To find out more about the bid, check out E-NEWS: Culture Special.

What is UK City of Culture?

• It is a Government backed programme to encourage the use of culture as a catalyst for change
• It is a UK version of the European Capital of Culture, which was awarded to Liverpool in 2008
• The first UK City of Culture will be awarded for 2013 and then every four years after that
• It is a competition and the winner will be officially designated as the UK City of Culture

Why are we competing?

Because local people love Carlisle and want to shout about their city, and they want a city:

• That celebrates and builds on its culture and challenges stereotypes of cultural excellence
• Where greater cultural participation is integral to the city's regeneration and growth
• With a thriving tourism, education, and creative sector and clout in attracting new investment
• That is known across Britain and beyond as a place people love to visit, study and live in.

City of Culture is our chance to make this happen.

Why is Renaissance involved?

Culture is as important to Carlisle as its physical regeneration, because it is the glue that binds communities together, gives a place identity, and engenders pride in where we live. It underpins everything that Carlisle Renaissance is working to achieve, which is why we are also committing to supporting cultural development in the city.

What is in the bid?

A high quality cultural programme for 2013 that:

• Sets in context a robust plan to generate long lasting economic and social benefits for Carlisle
• Showcases what we love about Carlisle and builds on local strengths and assets
• Is the catalyst for a larger market for a permanent and expanded cultural offer.

Who got involved in bidding?

Carlisle Renaissance – a partnership between Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, the Northwest Development Agency, Cumbria Vision, the University of Cumbria and representatives from the private sector – is leading the bid. A leadership group has brought together Renaissance, the Carlisle Local Strategic Partnership, Carlisle Tourism Partnership, Culture Cumbria and Kendal Arts International.

Residents, creative practitioners, and organisations have also helped shape the bid by engaging with us through Love Carlisle, focus groups, Cultural Conversations, and other events.

How have you got people involved in the bid?

By being open and encouraging debate, discussion and challenge, and through a range of activities under the 'Love Carlisle' banner including: -

• Working with young people in schools and community centres across Carlisle
• Focus groups with Carlisle residents
• A website (LoveCarlisle.co.uk) to promote cultural activities
• A Love Carlisle Day on 7 November
• Support for a range of engaging cultural activities
• Using great events like the Carlisle Fireshow.
  

What is ?

The Love Carlisle brand is being used as part of the city’s bid for UK City of Culture. Love Carlisle - a socially engaged art project working with Carlisle’s young people, and is supported by Carlisle Renaissance - is a key culture change programme for the city. To find out more, visit the Love Carlisle website.

 

What do you think?

Tell us what you think about culture in Carlisle. Visit the Love Carlisle website to join in the debate, or get in touch directly on info@carlislerenaissance.co.uk.

 

Downloads:

'The Once and Future City' initial bid (PDF)
FAQs (new page)
E-NEWS: Culture Special (new page)
Drafting the bid (PDF)
Cultural photocards (PDF)
Lakes Alive in Carlisle 2009 (video)

Useful Links:

Love Carlisle
UK City of Culture: Department for Culture, Media and Sport