Durham's City of Culture hopes shaken

Jan 12 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

DURHAM'S attempt to become Britains culture capital could be dealt a blow as spending chiefs look to find s500,000 for public arts projects.

As the city continues to push forward with a campaign to lead the UKs cultural scene, councillors are preparing an arts masterplan which they say will help to secure Durham Citys future cultural vitality.

Plans include a City of Letters project to reflect the importance of religious texts linked to the city, and a City of Stone project commissioning artworks connected to Durham architecture.

In the original plans the artwork was funded by contributions from businesses wanting large developments in the city and up to s500,000 from development agency One North East.

But council bosses have been dealt a double blow as the credit crunch halts the expensive developments needed to fund the projects, and regeneration bosses refuse to commit funds fully.

Asked if One North East would divert cash intended to help close the North-South divide, a spokesman said: The agency does not tend to fund public art. However, in specific circumstances where there have been important elements within wider regeneration schemes, we have made a contribution. Nevertheless, it would require considerable discussion prior to any agreement.

Officers fear the credit crunch could mean years of work on the strategy go to waste as funding dries up.

Durham City Council executive member for culture Coun Sue Pitts said staff working on the s1.6m project had a variety of funding options.

She said: One of the important things to realise is that art is simply good because art makes people happy and improves their quality of life.

But unfortunately the Government seems fairly keen on targets and things that can be measured, and sadly health and happiness are not as easily measured as money.

Coun Pitts said previous Durham City arts projects, such as international light festival Enlightenment, had brought in about s35,000 to Durham.

Durhams city and county councils are working on a bid to win the Governments Capital of Culture honour for 2011. If successful, it would bring prominent cultural events usually reserved for London, such as the Turner Prize, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the Brit music awards and the Baftas.

It would also be certain to attract huge numbers of extra tourists to the cathedral city.