We could write hundreds of posts arguing why Dundee is an incredible place because of its events, locations and projects, and yet there’s a value to the city that goes beyond anything we can easily measure. It has something to do with the creativity, collaboration, resilience and innovation that underpin local projects and ideas here – many of them only in place thanks to the significant European input in the city’s DNA.
In an effort to tap in to this creativity and ongoing collaborations, a call has been put out for contributions to Dundee’s European Capital of Culture 2023 Bid in the form of ideas for the proposed programme. The call was made to coincide with a launch that marks 100 days until the bid proposal deadline (27 October).
The Bid has a new website where anyone can now submit ideas for the 2023 programme. The website will document Dundonian’s individual connections to European communities through family or social links, but also across arts, music, heritage, sports and business relationships.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said: “This bid is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s cultural ties with Europe and celebrate our diverse cultural heritage. With 100 days to go, I encourage Dundonians, Scots and people from across the world to contribute their ideas for Dundee as European Capital of Culture.”
Pic Alan Richardson Dundee, Pix-AR.co.uk
Here at Creative Dundee, we’ve had key European connections over the years – from long term projects to Pecha Kucha speakers. They include:
European Creative Hubs Network (2016 – present)
Creative Dundee is an associate partner to Creative Edinburgh in the European Creative Hubs Network, a 2 year project during 2017-18. Our aim is to help creative hubs connect and collaborate across Europe. British Council is leading the work co-funded by the European Commission, in partnership with six European creative hubs – Bios in Greece, Addict in Portugal, betahaus in Germany, Kulturni Kod/Nova Iskra in Serbia, Creative Edinburgh in UK and Factoria Cultural in Spain – and the European Business and Innovation Network.
Over the two year project they have calls for creative hubs to join them at Forums, Skills Workshops or take part in Peer to Peer Study Visits, you can also upload your hub details to their map – if hubs are of interest then check out their website, sign up and find out more. Dundee based hubs have also benefited from this project, through study visits and events.
Creative Industries: Support for Growth – European Case Study (2015):
Dundee was selected as a case study demonstrating best practice in cultural/creative industries support by Culture for Cities and Regions, part of the EU Creative Europe Programme. The project promotes best practice and the transfer of knowledge to ensure projects in cities and regions throughout Europe place culture at the heart of their development strategies.
The chosen case study about Dundee titled ‘Creative Industries: Support for Growth‘, highlights the challenges, strengths and activities happening in Dundee to grow the creative industries and tackle issues such as talent retention and attraction. Creative Dundee was referenced as an important factor and assisted with the co-ordination of a three-day study visit.
Download all information/presentations from the study visit here, read more about the project here and discover what the European delegation learned when visiting Dundee in November 2015 here.
UNESCO City of Design (2014 – present)
As Dundee is the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design, Creative Dundee works closely with the team making sure the design sector is represented. After receiving the designation in December 2014, we ran a community engagement event to find out what being a city of design means to people living here, during the launch in January 2015. We’ve assisted with developing plans and also run events during Dundee Design Festival. Find out more about the designation here.
But there have also been lots of smaller ways in which our work developed strong European ties. From Claire Dufour‘s participation at the Saint Etienne’s Design Biennial to Julija Danilova and Reif Larsen‘s Pecha Kucha talks. But in the spirit of connecting with our neighbours, open mindedness and collective creativity, perhaps this talk from 2013 is the most relevant one for a bit of inspiration:
We’re excited for this opportunity for anyone in Dundee to submit their ideas, but also to be able to make such a public exercise in collaboration and multiculturalism. For further information visit www.dundee2023.eu and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tell us about your european ties using the hashtag #dundee2023.
Check out some of the social media buzz over the last week!