PEOPLE across Bradford are being urged to give their views on cultural life in the district ahead of a bid to be the next UK City of Culture for 2025.
A survey is being launched today that will help form a new 10-year cultural plan for the area.
The organisation behind the survey, Bradford Cultural Place Partnership, aims to understand what culture really means to the people of Bradford.
It could be the National Science and Media Museum or Bronte Parsonage, or the bright lights of Leeds Road, or Billy Pearce in pantomime at the Alhambra.
“Bradford District is a strong contender to be the next UK City of Culture for 2025. Regardless of the outcome of our bid, we believe that a thriving culture is key to the future success of our district. That’s why we’re making a 10-year plan for it and that’s why we need your help,” starts the survey.
Nic Greenan, the principal officer for cultural partnerships at Bradford Council, said that the district's Cultural Place Partnership had committed to create a new ten years cultural strategy for the district, and that one of the pre-requisites to a City of Culture bid is an updated and relevant cultural strategy.
She described how they wanted to move away from a formulaic approach towards a strategy "far more co-produced" by the people of the district.
"What we are trying to understand is what does culture mean to people. This isn't just about our cultural institutions - they are incredibly important to the fabric of society and the fabric of what Bradford is. But what does culture mean to people - it could be entertaining your family and hosting a big dinner on a Saturday night and playing music in your living room or spending time walking in the countryside,
"It should be and can be as diverse as that."
She added that it won't be the Council's strategy - it is the district's, saying: "It's integral that people can see and hear and feel themselves in this."
The online survey, which is being funded by the Council and Arts Council England, involves answering a number of quick questions and should take around ten minutes to complete.
It is themed around culture and me, culture in the Bradford district, and culture - the future, and include questions around what your favourite “bit of culture” is in the district, and what types of venues you visit.
Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, Councillor Sarah Ferriby said: “We all know the importance of culture in our lives and to the future of Bradford district."
“We want to have the best possible plan for the future of culture right across the district and the best way to do this is by listening to the views of as many people as we possibly can. So please take ten minutes out to complete the survey and share your opinions”.
Richard Shaw, Bradford 2025 bid director, said: “Thanks for taking the time to help us by filling out this survey. Understanding what people love to do in the district, what their passions and interests are and what they’d like to see more of us all absolutely critical if Bradford is to make a successful bid to become 2025 City of Culture. Please help us by sharing your knowledge and giving us the best possible chance to bring this title home to Bradford in 2025”.
It is expected that the cultural plan will be completed next year in time for the final City of Culture bid to the Department of Culture Media and Sport. The winning city is expected to be announced in December 2021.
Bradford will be competing against other locations, including Lancashire, Medway and Southampton.
The survey can be found online at: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TAOnline.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel