Friday’s (14 March) culture conference ‘Cultural Tides’ has been hailed as a resounding success, generating significant momentum for the region’s cultural landscape.
The second edition of the conference, linked to the new science and arts festival, Colliderfest, brought together over 250 delegates at Hull Truck Theatre, almost a 50 per cent increase on 2024’s event.
This new international conference in the city is growing its reputation as a key event in the north, attracting delegates from West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, North and Northeast Lincolnshire, extending reach across the north.
The strong line-up of speakers from leading national culture and heritage bodies, as well as international speakers, has opened up new conversations and partnerships for Hull. New culture and heritage projects are now starting to be developed, together with learning sharing from Ukraine, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark.
Chris Jackson, director of regeneration for Hull City Council, said: “The buzz from delegates at the level of speakers was palpable. There was a feeling that Hull is recapturing its moment post-2017 and looking to the future with the new culture and heritage strategy, music plan and public art policy all launched at the conference.”
Speaking at the event, Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It was wonderful to be a part of Cultural Tides and to feel the enthusiasm in the city as its new culture and heritage strategy was launched. Hull has already proved through its work on City of Culture and beyond that heritage and culture can instil pride in communities and boost the local economy.
“We are delighted to continue to work with Hull, including in the delivery of Hull Maritime, our biggest live grant in the north and are excited to see what is next on the horizon for Hull now that the strategy has been launched. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
Cultural Tides is an annual conference that will take place in the second week of March every year.
