Bid for Sheffield to become the UK's City of Culture builds steam as people called to share their thoughts
“I would love to see people around the world, around the country say ‘no, I’m going to Sheffield”
People are being encouraged to put forward their ideas to improve the city’s cultural offering as work continues for Sheffield to be crowned the UK’s City of Culture.
Sheffield is one of nine locations that will be chosen for the Government project, which could see millions of pounds worth of investment in the city’s artistic sector, as well as increased footfall and wider cultural and economic benefits.
The title is currency held by Bradford, with Sheffield City Council now preparing a full application which will be sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
To support their efforts, artists and professionals across the cultural sector were invited to Crookes Social Club on Wednesday (July 15) to celebrate what the city does well, and suggest what improvements this funding could offer.
Beyond those involved in person, residents are being called on to put forward their ideas through an online survey available on the Sheffield Culture Hub website here. The deadline for submission is July 30.
Architect Tony Broomhead - who says he “specialises in public art” with his wife Aprille McShane - said that he hopes the title will “put Sheffield on the map creatively” and celebrate the city’s various artists.
He told The Star: “Sheffield inherently is one of the most diverse and creative cities in the country.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work all over the place and I always end up coming back here and I’m surprised how creative it is.
“There’s a real just get on with it spirit in Sheffield and no matter what people are trying to do, this is a place that gives them a chance.
“We don’t really shout about it, it’s very quiet - but maybe it is time to just shout a little bit.”
John Rwothomack, who leads Migration Matters Festival and the Roots Mbili Theatre, simply said: “Without art we don’t have culture.
“We are a city of incredibly incredibly passionate artists, in all disciplines,” he added.
“When I meet different artists from different mediums, it’s very clear how much they don’t want to make work elsewhere - they want to make work in the city, that is for the city and that speaks to the city.
“That doesn’t mean they don’t want to go and explore other avenues or explore how other places do it, or learn from other places, but they want to bring that back here.
“It takes artists a long time to leave this city. People try and stay for as long as they can to create work here.
“It’s until they feel that they can’t that they actually migrate elsewhere.”
John said he hopes the City of Culture title will help improve the opportunities for local artists, creating room for everyone from the grassroots to the greatest talents in the world.
“I would love to see people around the world, around the country say ‘no, I’m going to Sheffield,” he continued.
“Not ‘I’m going to an event’ - ‘I want to visit Sheffield’.”
Jo Towler, chair of Classical Sheffield and chief executive of music in the round, said that there are already so many artists quietly toiling away throughout the city, as she works with a variety of musical groups who are constantly practicing and performing.
She joked: “We just crack on with that stuff.”
“I think something about the City of Culture is being able to celebrate that day in day out making of art, whatever that looks like,” she added.
Sheffield City Council will pull together the application, which will be sent off and reviewed by a panel of judges who will decide the final winner.
The Steel City is currently up against the likes of Wrexham and Blackpool for the top spot.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee, said: “It helps us bring together the broader cultural offer that we have in our city already.
“We have some world class institutions and theatres, we also know we have some amazing talents and makers as well, but it will help us bring all those things together and celebrate it much more.”