Communities embrace Capital of Culture to make it their own

Jun 30 2008 by Samantha Parker, Liverpool Daily Post

Tomorrow, Liverpool will be half way through its tenure as European Capital of Culture. In the first of a series of special reports this week, Samantha Parker spoke to community groups about the year so far

TOMORROW marks the half-way point of Liverpool's tenure as European Capital of Culture. The Daily Post wants to know what you think of the year so far - click here to take part in our online survey

MANY communities in and around Liverpool have embraced the Capital of Culture year and made it their own.

Events showing the innovation and creativity that can be found in Liverpool have been springing up in every area.

Many have used the Culture Company to part-fund events, with others seeking funding from other agencies to ensure the Culture Year reaches their area.

Claire McColgan, Creative Communities Manager, Liverpool Culture Company, said: “I think one of the best things to come out of this year is the number of events that haven’t been commissioned or supported by us.

“It has been an incredible first half-year. The projects we have supported have been even better than I could have imagined, some of them have really blown me away.

“The feeling in the city and in the communities has changed; I think there is a greater feeling of togetherness and I think that will carry on beyond 2008.

“The events have really brought people together, which is what this year is all about. It is hard to pick a favourite as I have enjoyed them all.My favourites aren’t what I guessed they might be at the beginning of the year. Streets Ahead and Archbishop Beck’s performance at the Shakespeare 24 festival are just two of them.

“The coverage Liverpool has had this year has been overwhelming, and is what it needed as a city that is rebuilding itself.”

One of the biggest community events supported by the Culture Company is the Four Corners programme.

Four Corners links residents, cultural organisations, artists and Liverpool city council’s neighbourhood services team to explore the question “what makes a neighbourhood?”.

The project looks at how the change and upheaval caused by regeneration can impact on communities, and uses tools such as creative writing, visual arts, photography and audio technology to engage residents and support cohesion.

Ruth Ben-Tovim has directed Be My Guest, one of the commissions which saw her team travel around south Liverpool gathering people’s memories and turning them into a performance.

She said: “This project changed people’s perceptions of each other. Young and old saw each other in a different light.

“We concentrated on south Liverpool and what came out was a better understanding and appreciation in the areas people live in.

“A successful dialogue was opened between the artists and the participants. Hundreds of people attended the hosted performances and the feedback has been very positive. As an artist, it has been wonderful to be involved with this project.”

From Thursday to Sunday , a showcase of work created for the Four Corners programmes will be on display at the Bluecoat, School Lane.

Community groups across Liverpool have sought funding to make the Capital of Culture year have a meaning in their areas.

Culture of Arts is a community arts programme run by the Workers Education Association to explore the cultural diversity of Liverpool’s communities.

This year, they are celebrating the diversity of people’s lives and encouraging arts across the city through projects such as a community sculpture and a musical at Styal women’s prison.

The project is working with groups with little or no engagement in community arts, or who have no current involvement in the Capital of Culture celebrations, and will culminate in an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in 2009.

Regional director Greg Coyne said: “The exhibition will give visitors to the City an insight into the diverse range of communities and their cultures.

“The WEA is using the Capital of Culture year as a springboard for inspirational learning opportunities for adults based around arts and cultural themes.

“Culture and the arts offer the opportunity to lift people beyond their normal horizons. When these themes are combined with learning they can offer inspirational development for people and their communities.

“They unlock doors that were previously closed, to individual development and group achievements beyond expectations.”

TOMORROW in the Daily Post: The Capital of Culture’s financial rollercoaster and expert view on Liverpool’s re-branding exercise.

samanthaparker@dailypost.co.uk