ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
CAN MEDWAY CLAIM THE CULTURAL CROWN ?
THE TOWNS OF MEDWAY ARE UNITING AS ONE IN A BID TO WIN THE CONVERTED 2025 CITY OF CULTURE AWARD , AND AIM TO GAIN CITY STATUS IN THE PROCESS .
Art and culture used as a tool to kickstart the postwar rebirths of towns and cities across the UK is a blueprint that is working . New galleries , creative opportunities , artistic programmes , events , dance , music , and theatre have been the major influencers in transforming some of our most rundown towns and cities . Now Medway – alongside a bid to be awarded city status – is fighting to become the UK ’ s 2025 City of Culture .
The government initiated scheme , UK City of Culture , is designed to bring significant social and economic benefits to an area . Cities are invited to compete for the title , which they will hold for one year , and winning the title is expected to significantly boost investment in the local economy , grow tourism and put arts and culture centre stage . The winning city will also receive hefty government investment and a very healthy flow of tourism . The inaugural holder of the award was Derry in 2013 , Kingston upon Hull in 2017 and Coventry in 2021 . Derry and Kingston upon Hull both experienced a major boost in tourism , an increase in investors opening new businesses and a new sense of direction for the future . Coventry took the title in May 2021 and has now launched a huge cultural programme , ranging from The Turner Prize to the UK Asian Film Festival .
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