Aberdeen formally submits City of Culture bid

ABERDEEN City Council has formally submitted its bid to become Britain’s City of Culture in 2017.

The city, which is believed to be in competition with Dundee, York, Hull, Plymouth and Leicester, has already formed a project management board made up of representatives from arts organisations, the city’s two universities, tourist organisations and businesses to help spearhead the drive to secure the coveted title.

And the bid team is now preparing a 30-page tender document which must be submitted by 30 April to persuade judges to put the city on the shortlist for the cultural award.

Bid manager Rita Stephen said: “Aberdeen wouldn’t have entered the competition unless we thought we had a good chance of winning. We have the infrastructure in this city capable of putting on an incredible year. We have amazing artists, writers, musicians, actors, film-makers, craftsmen and craftswomen in this city who all want to be involved. And we know how to use UK City of Culture to make Aberdeen a more creative and inspiring place.”

Economy

Councillor George Adam, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen City Council took the decision to bid for UK City of Culture because, quite simply, the arts are worth investing in. There is an economic argument that shows even a little money generates massive returns. But, more importantly for us, this is about making the city a better place.

“This about making sure that people who live and work in Aberdeen have the opportunity to be challenged, stimulated and stirred. It’s about inspiring the next Michael Clark or the next Emeli Sande as well as encouraging a performer to get up on stage at an open mic night. It’s about being a creative city. That’s what we want Aberdeen to be.”

The shortlist will be chosen in June and the eventual winner will be announced in November.