Hull’s City of Culture company ‘to continue’ beyond 2017

The company running Hull’s City of Culture events is to continue as a permanent independent arts organisation, it has been announced.

Hull 2017 was formed specifically for the year-long celebration.

From next year it will be renamed Culture Company and will carry on “commissioning world-class arts programming” in the city, it says.

Chair Rosie Millard said the firm would “build on the achievements that have already been made”.

Director Martin Green said: “Over the next weeks and months we will be embarking on conversations with people across the city to inform the development of the company and its work.”

Bosses said they would develop a “20-year legacy plan” and would help the council with its portfolio of proposals to improve the city’s “culture and visitor infrastructure”.

One plan is to focus on the city’s 16,000 children aged up to five to “put culture at the heart of the development of young people and efforts to improve social mobility and raise attainment”.

Minister for Art, Heritage and Tourism John Glen said: “Hull is building on the momentum of UK City of Culture to forge a strong and lasting creative legacy.

“Hull 2017 has been truly transformational. It has driven investment and brought world-class art and culture to new audiences and this ambitious plan will keep culture at the city’s heart for years to come.”