Showcase of city’s media and arts to be taken to Korea

York Council’s chief executive, Kersten England, will travel to Korea to present the case for the city to become a member of a network of other leading locations around the globe.

The bid has been prepared in an attempt for York to become an internationally recognised Unesco Creative Media City and part of the Creative Cities Network.

If successful, York will join only 29 other cities across the world with specialist expertise in literature, film, music, crafts and folk art as well as design, media arts and gastronomy.

A spokeswoman for the council, which is battling to save £20m during this financial year alone, stressed that the £2,500 week-long trip will not come at any cost to taxpayers.

It is being financed by the private sector in York as the business world aims to capitalise on the economic benefits that the Unesco status would bring.

Ms England said: “York is intent on making its future as compelling and internationally recognised as its past. Creative media arts is the fastest growing sector in York and the city is expanding its creative business base, investing in media arts facilities and growing public engagement.

“We want to make a distinctive and growing contribution to the global Unesco Creative Cities Network, and being part this elite group would enable us share best practice and learn from some of the most creatively influential cities in the world.

“We know that York is leading the way in creative media arts, now we need to take our place on the international stage.”

Marcus Romer, the artistic director and chief executive of Pilot Theatre which is based at York Theatre Royal, will also fly out for the presentation at the Creative Cities Network’s annual meeting on November 15.

The city has witnessed a boom in the creative media arts industry, and there are now more than 250 firms employing more than 8,000 people in the sector.

The head of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Susie Cawood, claimed that the trip to Korea is “vital to highlight the city’s expertise and experience to a wider audience”.

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