Picture courtesy Liverpool City Council
In a bid to consolidate the success they enjoyed during their stint as European Capital of Culture, officials in Liverpool have unveiled an impressive range of events, hoping to entice judges to award it Capital of Free Culture status in the UK.
The City Council is inviting arts organisations to bid to deliver a free festival of art, music and film staged over three weekends on the city’s world famous waterfront.
On The Waterfront will celebrate Liverpool's connection with New York as well as celebrating the city's Year of Environment.
Council Leader Warren Bradley said: "Delivering '08 was a huge challenge but the real test is maintaining momentum, and these highlights show it is going to pass the test with flying colours.
“To be offering so much free culture, that no UK city is even attempting, speaks volumes for the way the city’s cultural sector works together. It shows the momentum of '08 will never be lost and Liverpool will forever be a cultural capital.”
Picture courtesy Liverpool City Council
Highlights this year include:
-The Great Green Sculpture Challenge over Easter Week at Tate Liverpool.
-The End of the Line - A new major drawing exhibition by 11 international artists, at the Bluecoat – May 22 to July 19.
-Colour Chart: Reinventing Colour, 1950 to Today at Tate Liverpool – with works by Andy Warhol to Damien Hirst. Under-12s go FREE. May 29 to September 13
-The 2008 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral – August 15 to September 20.
-New Radicals: From Sickert to Freud - exhibition of early 20th century British masterpieces from L.S. Lowry to Stanley Spencer. The Walker – July 10 to September 20.
Picture courtesy Liverpool City Council
Claire McColgan, Head of Culture at Liverpool City Council, said: "Being European Capital of Culture has raised everyone's expectations and although it's impossible to repeat that year, its clear from these highlights for '09 that Liverpool’s ambition and ability to deliver a knock-out programme is second to none.
"We have learnt a lot from '08, we know that collaboration works and that people have a huge appetite for new events and we've listened."
The 2008 programme featured more than 7,000 events, 10,000 artists and more than 60 world or European premiers, helping to generate £800m to boost the local economy.
For more information visit www.liverpool.gov.uk or www.ourcityourplanet.org.uk
