Denmark Regional Study Visit in April

At the end of their three day study visit to York, two dozen senior Danish council officers departed inspired and happy with what they had learned. Our guests were here to discuss with us our experience of dealing with three challenges; digitisation and its impact on culture and the way it is consumed, the part that culture plays in supporting a more sustainable way of life for all, and steps we are taking to ensure that when we talk about and plan for culture, we involve everyone.

Sharing our experience is always useful, especially when it is based on a partnership of equals. The dialogue between York and Viborg, both UNESCO Cities of Media Arts, sprang from the enthusiasm of York’s schools and REACH to participate in Draw with Denmark: Hope when we were in the depths of the pandemic. This led to the artwork People We Love travelling to Viborg, to us working together on Immersive Assembly 2, and to a successful Creative Export trip in 2022. It was during this visit that the Region Midtjylland, which brings together 19 Danish municipalities, asked York – specifically the Guild, as the Focal Point for the UNESCO Creative City – to organise the programme for the Study Visit.

The significance of the visit was underlined by the interest in it shown by Arts Council England, which sent four staff including Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive, and the UK National Commission for UNESCO, whose Secretary General James Bridge attended, accompanied by Anna Nsubuga, who is currently seconded to HM Treasury. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress kindly received the Danish Ambassador to the UK, HE Rene Dinesen, on his first visit to York. He was accompanied by the Danish Cultural Attache, Lone Christensen, who was present for the whole visit.

The Guild, which has no staff and limited resources of its own, was able to manage the Study Visit thanks to the generous help of partners across the city. The support of Prof Kiran Trehan led to the Guildhall and conference catering being provided by the University of York, while York Archaeology (Jorvik) hosted the final morning and lunch, and seconded Abi Judge to us as event manager. The actual content of the programme, on which success depended, was given freely by speakers, panel members and ‘tour guides’. The breadth, depth and quality of work going on in York is remarkable, as their presentations demonstrated.

Should we in York think more about ‘outward investment’? I think we should. York’s talented companies and individuals deserve opportunities to find markets and customers through our excellent international partnerships, including the 22 Media Arts Cities that are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. There is much more we can do.

Words: Chris Bailey

Photos: York City of Media Arts