Creativity and culture are more readily accessible to people living, working and visiting Cork than in other European cities of its size, according to a new survey of culture and creativity across European cities.
The European Commission’s Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor has ranked Cork City second amongst 79 cities for its ‘cultural participation and attractiveness’. Cork, a former European Capital of Culture, is also leading this European league table through its creative and cultural educational offering. Cork emerges second of 79 cities when ‘enabling environments’ for fostering a cultural and creative education are measured.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan said: “ Cork City Council is delighted with European recognition of the emphasis that we place on ensuring our arts offering can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. This is a real recognition of the work of our cultural institutions, artists and creative practitioners, our inclusive spirit and of us as a welcoming city.”
“Cork is a UNESCO City of Learning and we fully believe that education should be embraced from birth to older age. That Cork is also being lauded for enabling and fostering cultural education is a European recognition of the work of CIT Crawford College of Art and Design and University College Cork. It is very important that a city educates and supports artists and creators for the future”.
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty said: “ The hugely-popular Music Generation Cork City, cultural programmes like Tools of the Trade in schools, the street arts festival, Rebel Streets and the BEAG programme in childcare settings are all about ensuring communities have access to creativity. The remarkable participation and inclusion work of the Crawford Gallery and Glucksman Gallery also has to be acknowledged”.
“And, it doesn’t stop there. Arts For All, a city wide initiative to develop an inclusive arts charter, and the City of Sanctuary movement which works with Cork’s new communities also contribute to creating a city of true cultural participation which is key to ensuring a quality of life. Cork City Council has long recognised the cultural agenda as a pillar of our city. We are delighted that this is recognised across Europe,” she said.
** The Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor 2019 shows how well 190 European cities in 30 countries perform across 9 cultural policy dimensions, compared to their peers. Cities have been selected based on their demonstrable engagement in promoting culture and creativity, from about 1,000 cities in Eurostat’s Urban Audit. Therefore, the cities featured in the Monitor are already top performers.