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Oldham could join bid for UK Culture Capital title
Reporter: Lobby Correspondent
Date online: 15 July 2009
OLDHAM could work with other councils across the region to become Britain’s capital of culture in the UK version of the prestigious title.
Government plans will see areas compete every four years to host a 12 month long arts programme with the first title in 2013. And in a surprise move Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said neighbouring towns could also come together to form a larger bid, instead of just cities.
The expanding European border means a UK city will not have the opportunity to compete for the existing title until 2032 at the earliest.
Mr Bradshaw said: “Culture is something we are incredibly good at in the UK. But excellence and innovation in the arts does not begin and end inside the M25.
“So this competition aims to find a city or area outside London which has the wow factor, with exciting and credible plans to make a step change in its cultural life and engage in the whole country.
“Liverpool’s success last year brought pride, confidence and real economic regeneration to the area.”
The UK version — like the European title — will not see a pot of cash available for the winner. Instead, BBC coverage of the area will provide publicity worth £200 million — and officials would be expected to use the spotlight it shines to attract private investment.
But hosting a number of high profile events such as the Turner Prize, the Brit music awards, film awards and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, as Liverpool did during the year would become an integral part of the festival.
An outline application must be submitted by October 16 and initial bids by December 11. A shortlist of areas will be announced early next year.
Comments
April 1st come early?
Oldham - Capital of culture! best laugh i've had all year. Who's culture would be promoted in the bid?
I'd have posted this sooner but I couldn't see the keyboard for tears of laughter. Picture it now. BBC sports personality of the year live from the ORLFC ground, in Leigh. Brit music awards from the fabulous, elegantly restored, Candlelight Club. The Turner prize direct from 'Art 'R' Us' on the Shaw market stall. The film awards live from a glittering...er, probably have to go to Ashton for that one. To cap it all BBC coverage of the area. This would carry a government health warning of course.
Yet another of our inept leaderships vainglorious delusions. The mind truly boggles !
Ha ha ha. I've heard it all now.
Not a hope in hell.
Well she's been down to the cannabis farms I see, oldham culture def a joke look at the liberals in power
a town that has nothing cannot even consider thinking about something this?
even what was supposed to be classed as "oldhams cultural quarter" below union st has ended up being mostly sainsburys!
if there was an award for this countries worst cultural and town planning, Oldham would win every time!
What utter rubbish. Is there no end to this drivel from Oldham council.
This could be good for the town, but I don't feel Oldham council has the fogiest of ideas how to go about organising such a scheme. I didn't go to the event in alexander park, as I hadn't heard about it until it had been and gone. But after seeing recent photos and the musical line up I cant help but feel that this event was more favourable towards the asian comunities within the borough.
There is more to oldham than R&B and rap artists, why not really show the true diversity of oldham and include some of the variation of talent within the borough, acts such as Twisted wheel spring to mind. There are also plenty of bands that appear at the castle that would thrive off an opportunity to play on a stage such as this.
Oldham council you really don't put enough effort or thought into these events, there are many talented artists, photographers, designers, writers etc.in the brough, why not make this event a real showcase for the wasted talent that is languishing in this hell hole of a town....
A YOGURT HAS MORE CULTURE.
A 'Muller Rice' would do us more good than the leader of the council!
Have Your Say
I think Oldham should be at the front for the Capital of culture. We seem to be good at cultivating the drug culture and are way out in front on the gun culture scene. We also hit the news with child grooming and the Lady's of the night culture is rife in some parts of Oldham.
By Husting @ 15/07/2009 16:29:48