Coventry 2021 Legacy

Partners are key to Coventry’s City of Culture legacy

Coventry won the prestigious title with the backing of local and regional organisations that recognised the benefits it would bring to the city and its people.

Fast forward to today and we look back on an extraordinary 12 months of celebrations that saw over a million people engage with 700+ events across every ward in the city.

The support of our 160 corporate partners was fundamental in delivering on our promise to ensure a meaningful legacy for the city. That work is not yet complete; the support of new and existing partners is key to writing the next chapter of the story for the city that moves.

Partnerships between the cultural sector, communities, private sector and anchor institutions are stronger than ever and fundamental to the collective city endeavour to ensure that Coventry continues to be a culturally attractive, vibrant and prosperous city to live in, work and enjoy beyond our year as UK City of Culture.

In this next phase we are operating as a commissioning organisation, supporting the creation of ambitious, engaging, interactive and playful arts and culture projects that contribute to a better, greener, fairer future for Coventry.

As part of our devolved model of delivery, we will focus on connecting communities, businesses, artists and creatives to achieve shared ambitions and lasting change.

To reflect our new way of working, we are relaunching our corporate membership model. Rooted in research and shaped by the motivations and needs of our supporters and local cultural sector, the model includes four distinct tiers.

Each tier is shaped to reflect the ambitions of partners and support the ongoing activities of the trust, the delivery of ambitious and impactful community led programmes across the city, investment in local arts associations and venues and an annual award supporting artists into the future.

This new model of membership will support us to build on the work that has already taken place, offer a lasting funding opportunity for local artists and facilitate new relationships between businesses and the local cultural sector.

If you would like to find out more or attend our upcoming networking event, please contact Senior Development Manager, Emily Coleman at:

emily.coleman@coventry2021.co.uk

In addition, Coventry City of Culture Trust will be attending the Chamber’s Annual Conference on Friday 11th November where you will be able to chat with the team and find out more about legacy plans and how to get involved.

Quartet of Coventry City of Culture

films receive major award nominations

Four films commissioned during Coventry’s City of Culture year and the creatives behind them are in the running for a series of major industry awards.

Coventry City of Culture Trust’s Ghosts in the Ruins has been nominated in the Specialist Factual category in the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards. Full Fat TV’s 2tone: The Sound of Coventry and Widow’s Might – from Coventry writer Alexandra Johnson have also been recognised across multiple categories.

Also nominated was Irish, Blacks and Dogs by Coventry filmmaker Jack Norris in the Short Film category.

Ghosts in the Ruins, a site-specific commission performed at Coventry Cathedral in January 2022, was produced by Coventry City of Culture Trust and created by Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement recipient Nitin Sawhney CBE alongside the people of Coventry.

The commission marked the 60th anniversary of the consecration of Coventry Cathedral, for which Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece ‘War Requiem’ was created, with Coventry City of Culture Trust capturing one of the performances for broadcast on BBC 4. 2 Tone: The Sound of Coventry, a co-production between Coventry City of Culture Trust and Full Fat Television, received a trio of nominations in Documentary, Craft – Post Production and Creative Community.

The BBC England commission used music, archive footage and a rare interview with 2 Tone founder Jerry Dammers as well as comments from The Specials’ Neville Staple, Pauline Black and Neol Davies of the Selecter, and proud Coventrian and music mogul Pete Waterman to explore the musical phenomenon that exploded out of Coventry in 1979.

During Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture, Sky Arts partnered with Arts Council England, Coventry City of Culture Trust, The Space and Shoot Festival, the city’s emerging artist platform, to provide creative broadcast opportunities to ten Coventry artists. The work of local artists Alexandra Johnson and Jack Norris, part of the Sky Arts Unlocked series, was recognised in the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards.

Widow’s Might, by Alexandra Johnson, which has been nominated for Short Film, tells the story of a Coventry woman who has given up everything to look after her dying husband.

Alexandra Johnson, supported by the City of Culture Trust through the Cultural Leadership Programme, was also recognised for her work behind the scenes with a pair of nominations in the Best Breakthrough (off screen) and Writer categories.

Irish, Blacks and Dogs by Jack Norris, which has been nominated for Short Film, tells the story of an ageing Irish immigrant with prejudiced views who suffers a fall. When a young black paramedic comes to his aide; he is forced to confront his worldview.

Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “We are extremely proud of the creative skill and talent showcased in each of these films and would like to congratulate all the nominees.

“So many incredible creatives call the West Midlands home, and these nominations further demonstrate what was achieved in partnership with some fantastic people and organisations during the City of Culture year. We are delighted to have supported their creation and see their work recognised in these prestigious awards.”

Hayley Pepler, former Head of Content & Digital Broadcast at Coventry City of Culture Trust and Producer of Ghosts in the Ruins for BBC4, said: “These nominations demonstrate that there is a thriving creative community in Coventry of writers, directors and producers delivering programmes for broadcasters of real quality and purpose.

“Foundations laid by these commissions during the City of Culture year will support the city's creative economy as it develops into a destination for new production talent to tell their stories onscreen and grow successful businesses at this same time.”