JUST under half of Coventrians engaged with City of Culture events between May 2021 and June 2022 with 77 per cent of activities co-created with people from the city, new research has shown.
And, despite Coventry City of Culture Trust heading into administration in February, a report by the city’s two universities has led to Coventry City Councillor David Welsh claiming the year was a ‘success overall.’
The report by Coventry University and the University of Warwick also revealed the programme involved every ward and neighbourhood across the city.
The universities said the review evaluated participation and engagement numbers, the social and economic impact and how the programme adapted to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the start of events by five months.
Target areas of historically low cultural participation saw increases of an average 36 per cent for regular engagement with publicly funded culture in the city, while 41 per cent of tickets issued went to members of Coventry’s lower socio-economic groups.
More than 3,000 community dancers, musicians, poets and makers took part in more than 700 events throughout the year.
The report also found the year helped bring millions of pounds of investment into the city and resulted in a £150million boost in tourism income above pre-Covid levels.
During its seven-year lifespan, the City of Culture Trust received £44.5million to bid for, win and deliver City of Culture.
In addition, £183.1 million worth of added investment flowed into the city, which the report said was secured, at least in part due to the award of the city of culture title.
And 1,515 people became fully trained City Host volunteers, with 91 per cent stating they fairly or very strongly had a sense of belonging to Coventry.
In June, the two universities and Coventry City Council announced their support for the 10-year Coventry Culture Works.
The strategy will see them work alongside leaders from the city’s creative leaders to help take Coventry’s culture forward.
Coun David Welsh, the city council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “There were challenges during the year caused by the pandemic including social distancing restrictions when it first started, but the report is clear that the year overall brought some real successes both during the year and afterwards.
“Although there were considerable successes, we have also identified how things could have been improved which has led to schemes such as the Coventry Culture Works.”
Visit coventry21evaluation.info/ for the full report.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Was the City of Culture year a success and do you think it engaged with people enough in the city? Email [email protected] with your views.
