Hull is shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2017, competing against Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay.

Hull needs the title: to regenerate the city, create jobs and grow tourism, laying to rest 400 years of  the Beggars’ Litany: ‘From Hull, Hell and Halifax Good Lord deliver us..’, through transforming perceptions of the city. Inspired by Larkin’s poem Days’ the ambition is for each day in 2017 to make a difference to a life in the city, the UK and globally.

Hull wants the title: over 250 people have contributed ideas for the 2017 programme through workshops and surgeries. Over 1,500 people have backed the bid by having their photographs taken in the 2017Hull picture frame. 20 local businesses have shown their support by becoming a 2017 ‘Angel’, pledging £17,000 each to help deliver the programme. Over 10,500 people and organisations have backed the bid through social media, which has extended to over 50 countries worldwide.

Hull is ready to deliver the title: the bid draws on a number of significant cultural venues opening in the city, including the new Hull Truck Theatre, the Albermarle Music Centre, Hull History Centre, and Fruit and other independent cultural businesses in the Humber Arts Quarter. By 2017, Hull will also be home to a new dance centre, a refurbished library and exhibition space at the University of Hull, improvements at the Ferens Art Gallery, and the C4DI Tech Campus which is at the forefront of the development of the Fruit Market.

Our vision is the Fruit Market becoming the place to be, for arts, culture, digital and technology, where people can work together, collaborate and grow successful businesses.

The vision for Hull UK City of Culture 2017: the city will be the venue, with themes that celebrate its unique qualities; Roots and Routes, Made in Hull, Freedom and Quirky. Artist-designed gateways, pictorial meadows and 1,000 trees planted will be part of the environmental legacy of Hull 365, enhanced year-round activity through Hull’s theatres, galleries and music venues. 25 festivals and major events; 12 artists’ commissions in 12 iconic locations over the 12 months; 15 national and international commissions and 52 site-specific commissions highlighting the extraordinary spaces and places across the city;8 major community participation projects rooted in Hull, including a spectacular opening ceremony involving 3,000 volunteers. Follow the

Ahead of the final presentation, a short film that captures the hopes, aspirations and passion of the people of Hull was launched and you can watch it below now: