Councillor Iain Malcolm discusses how a successful Sunderland bid can benefit the whole region. We are delighted to have the support of our neighbour South Tyneside Council, particularly given their inspiring work supporting and championing culture with South Shield’s new state-of-the-art cultural venue The Word:
Culture is at the very heart of the North East and Sunderland is no exception.
As our neighbour and strategic partner I fully back Sunderland’s bid for City of Culture in 2021.
Culture is a powerful tool in enhancing the lives of our residents while improving the well-being and prosperity of the region. With a rich cultural heritage the North East has already been able to use culture as a catalyst to deliver change. Not only is culture helping to regenerate our towns and cities it is also helping to safeguard the thousands of jobs reliant on tourism – for Sunderland, City of Culture status can only serve to further enhance this.
From SAFC to the National Glass Centre, Field Music to The Old Fire Station, the Empire to the Sunderland Airshow, it has a wealth of venues, writers, film-makers, actors, artists, musicians, athletes and many more that make the city a thriving cultural centre. That kind of passion is not contained by borders – it bleeds across the entire North East.
Winning City of Culture would further inspire thousands of young people from across the entire region into careers in the arts. The bid has the potential to reap so many rewards – culturally, economically and educationally.
Sharing a border with Sunderland is more than just geography. I see Sunderland City of Culture 2021 very much as a regional bid and one that will benefit the whole of the North East – and beyond.
Culture knows no borders or boundaries and that is why with strong partnership working already in place across the North East, and indeed the North, we will make the best of opportunities such as this.
Placing Sunderland at the heart of cultural excellence will undoubtedly see a cascade of benefits across the rest of the region. I fully support Sunderland’s bid to be City of Culture 2021 and would encourage everyone else to get behind it too.
— Councillor Iain Malcolm
