The Cultural Tides Conference will be hosted at Hull Truck next month (Friday 14 March), following a successful inaugural event in March 2024 that attracted 170 attendees.
This year’s conference will formally launch Hull’s new Culture and Heritage Strategy 2025-30 and features a number of high-profile national and international speakers from across the industry.
Arts Council England chief executive, Darren Henley; The National Lottery Heritage Fund chief executive, Eilish McGuinness and Sandra Wall from Norrkoping – UNESCO Creative Cities Network will be amongst others taking to the stage in front of an audience made up of Hull-based arts, cultural, voluntary, community, education and business sector organisations.
Jude Kelly, commissioned to develop One Creative North; Cortina Butler, global director of arts, British Council, Arnfriour Valdimarsdottir, head of culture for Reykjavik and Lene Oster, head of culture for Aarhus will also be in attendance.
The event will also include the opportunity to participate in relevant workshops with a focus on moving the Culture & Heritage Strategy and delivery plan forward.
A number of breakout sessions will be on offer for participants to choose from. Covering a variety of topics including the Northern Place and Culture Partnership’s 2024 activity, the Local Cultural Education Partnership, shaping the new vision for Hull City Centre and the Colliderfest event, and the role of the arts in the UK’s new Industrial Strategy.
A very special keynote speaker will also be revealed soon.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure for Hull City Council, said: “We’re delighted that Cultural Tides is returning for 2025. This conference offers anyone with an interest in the cultural ambition of the city the opportunity to hear from nationally and internationally significant speakers and panellists, as well as help shape the delivery of the city’s new Culture and Heritage Strategy.”
Arts Council England chief exec Henley added: “Hull has a long tradition and reputation for culture, including hosting City of Culture 2017. We are proud to have worked with Hull in developing the new Culture & Heritage Strategy and supporting the work of the national portfolio organisations in the city. The conference provides a great opportunity for everyone to come together to celebrate what has been achieved and what we can do together in the future.”
National Lottery Heritage Fund chief exec, and fellow speaker, McGuinness said: “We are excited to see a city embrace heritage led regeneration and look forward to working with Hull through the new culture & heritage strategy and continuing our partnership and support to deliver our shared vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
Cultural Tides will form part of the Colliderfest festival, a collaboration between Hull City Council, the Hull Maritime project, Hull Museums and Gallery, and the University of Hull exploring the dynamic connections between science, technology, engineering, art, and maths.
