Agenda item

            (Ms. E. Henry, Cultural Regeneration Manager, attended in connection with this item)

            The Cultural Regeneration Manager advised the Committee that, while the bid for Belfast to become European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2023 was still under dispute, one aspiration under the ECoC proposals was to apply for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) City of Music designation. She highlighted that this remained an aspiration for the City, regardless as to whether or not the ECoC application went ahead.

            She reminded the Members that significant music related activity was due to take place throughout 2018 and 2019, including numerous BBC Music Events, Gradam Ceoil, Other Voices, Féile an Phobail, EastSide Arts Festival, the UK Pipe Band Championships and the Belfast Tattoo.

            She highlighted that music was recognised as a distinctive element of Belfast’s cultural profile, with audience research having indicated high levels of engagement locally as well as strong links with the City’s international profile.

            The Members were advised that the current planned activity amounted to a series of standalone events but that there was a significant opportunity to increase the impact by branding the events ‘City of Music’, building on Belfast’s cultural reputation.

            In relation to the support for local infrastructure and artists, she stated that an open call would be facilitated to allow local organisations to outline how their proposals would fit with agreed criteria to include audience development and profile.

            The Members noted that a specially curated programme of pop-up music events would take place over the summer season to animate public space by showcasing local talent.

            The Cultural Regeneration Manager explained that it was proposed that an award winning interactive musical experience called “Mix the City”, which had been delivered in a number of cities such as Moscow, Istanbul, Mumbai and Hamburg, would be delivered in Belfast.  She outlined that participants became DJs by mixing the music of local musicians with locally generated video content of the city.

            The Committee was advised that, to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, required a long-standing commitment which involved a participative process and a forward-looking approach.  The Cultural Regeneration Manager highlighted that, as with Liverpool, which had already achieved UNESCO City of Music designation, work in the lead up to and after the designation would focus on cultural policy and activity in relation to music across the City.

            The Committee was advised that the total budget for the programme was £200,000, and could come from the budget which had been set aside for the ECoC, as it was anticipated that the programme would be built from 2018 on.  

After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the contents of the report and approved the proposed ‘City of Music’ programme of activity and budget allocation; and

2.     agreed that a report would be submitted to a future meeting to provide an update on the three-pronged approach which the Council had agreed upon, in relation to the European Capital of Culture 2023 bid, to engage with the U.K. Government, the Irish Government and the European Commission.