Cabinet backing is sought for city’s Unesco bid

If the move is successful, York will be the first city in the UK to receive the City of Media Arts accolade which would recognise its creative side.

Members of York Council’s cabinet will be asked to support and raise awareness of York’s bid, which was submitted before the March 20 deadline, at a meeting on April 1.

Coun Sonja Crisp, the council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “The bid follows a period of consultation with the many practitioners and cultural bodies involved in York’s thriving digital and media arts economy. These include the world-class talent and organisations behind popular flagship festivals such as Illuminating York and the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, and institutions such as SCY that support them.”

Coun James Alexander, the leader of the authority, said: “This bid looks to put York in the international spotlight as a key destination for creative firms and practitioners to operate and do business with.

It will look to serve as a catalyst for new investment, connections, exchanges and ideas being shared with York from across the globe.

“I’d urge everyone interested in the city’s digital future to go to http://mediacityyork.com and back this bid,” Coun Alexander added.