The Dundee Partnership Cultural Development Group has agreed to develop a new Cultural Recovery Plan for the city.
With strong links to the city’s Tourism Strategy and Tourism Recovery Plan and with the city’s Cultural Agencies Network (CAN) at its heart, the Culture Recovery and Resilience Plan will lay out a path for the next two years, taking the city’s vibrant cultural sector from lockdown to renewal.
The Dundee Partnership Cultural Development Group is the strategic lead group for culture in Dundee. It was a key force in the development of Dundee’s pioneering approach to culture as a driver of economic development, produced the city’s last four Cultural Strategies and led Dundee’s successful bid to become the UK’s first and only UNESCO City of Design.
The group was working on the city’s next five year strategy when the coronavirus crisis hit, and has swiftly changed course to focus on the vital short-term recovery of a sector that is at the heart of Dundee’s community and economy.
The plan will be informed by a diverse range of contributors, including the Cultural Agencies Network (CAN), as the collective voice for the cultural sector in the city, and of We Dundee, a key public engagement tool developed by Creative Dundee & UNESCO City of Design Dundee to ensure that diverse voices across the sector and city are included.
This collaborative approach will create a collective response during a time of extreme challenge, ensuring that the sector is heard, recognised and supported, and able to contribute positively to recovery and renewal in the city.
The Culture Recovery and Resilience Plan will cover a two year period and will temporarily replace the current Dundee Cultural Strategy Action Plan. It will connect with the city’s Tourism Recovery Plan and support the city’s overarching economic recovery plan, positioning culture at the centre of the economic and social future of the city – a vital heartbeat in its recovery.
Judy Dobbie, Acting Director of Leisure and Culture at Dundee City Council, said, “In this crucial time Dundee’s cultural sector once again demonstrates its collective strength and commitment to playing a key role in the growth of the city. Culture continues to be a driving force for Dundee’s economy and has been a vital life-line to communities during the covid-19 crisis. I am committed to ensuring that the Culture Recovery and Resilience Plan will strengthen our sector and enable it to contribute positively to recovery and renewal in the city.”
Beth Bate, Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts, said “As we begin to plan for a post-lockdown reality it’s absolutely vital Dundee’s cultural sector is supported to rebuild as quickly as possible, in order to continue serving communities and contributing to our economy. It’s hugely heartening that we are able to work together to take positive strategic action towards achieving this aim, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the city on this in the coming weeks.”
Gillian Easson, Director of Creative Dundee, said “It’s very encouraging to see how quickly the city has rallied together during incredibly difficult times for everyone, to ensure that Dundee’s culture doesn’t stop. The city is built on strong partnerships and the cultural sector continues to reach out and ensure that citizens are at the very heart of exploring what comes next, through initiatives including We Dundee, the Cultural Agencies Network, Creative Dundee and many more. The cultural resilience plan will be absolutely critical for the sustainability of our communities and the wider city’s recovery.”
City council leader and chair of the Dundee Partnership John Alexander said: "Cultural organisations have been at the heart of Dundee's transformation across our communities for many years, and these strong partnerships will be needed more than ever now to meet the new challenges we are all facing beyond lockdown.
"The development of this plan will be vital to help chart a course for the way ahead, reflecting a bold and ambitious vision for the future of Dundee and its people.
"I am optimistic that the creativity and determination of everyone in this sector will contribute significantly to the recovery efforts for Dundee and its economy as we move forward."
The following organisations are represented on the Dundee Partnership Cultural Development Group:
Abertay University, Creative Dundee, Creative Scotland, Dundee City Council City Development, Dundee City Council Children & Families, Dundee Heritage Trust, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee & Angus College, Dundee Science Centre, Dundee Social Enterprise Network, Dundee Rep Theatre, Dundee Cultural Agencies Network, EventScotland, Hot Chocolate Trust, High School of Dundee, Leisure & Culture Dundee,, Scottish Dance Theatre, Scottish Enterprise, The University of Dundee, UNESCO City of Design Dundee and V&A Dundee.