The success of the Cultural Programme associated with the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has led to cultural activity being listed among the formal criteria used to judge bids to host future Games.
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme, which took place alongside the XX Commonwealth Games, has been praised for creating a new model for future Games and for other major cultural programmes tied to non-cultural ‘mega events’ in the UK. From 2022, the Commonwealth Games Federation is making cultural activity part of the formal criteria on which it judges bids to host the Games. CEO of the Organising Committee, David Grevember, said: “The Cultural Programme has gone from ‘good’ to ‘great’.”
The XX Commonwealth Games marked the first time that all non-sport elements of the Games were brought together into one division and delegated to local partners, making use of existing staff, resources and infrastructure to manage the cultural programme and maintain artistic quality. It was also the first time the Cultural Programme started a year before the Games and was delivered collaboratively by the host nation and city.
More than 2.1 million people benefited from 12,000 cultural events that took place throughout Scotland, commissioned by Creative Scotland and Glasgow Life. An evaluation of the programme has concluded that it was “a bold and innovative initiative, producing some work of real artistic excellence, while offering a mix of cultural experiences that felt fresh and exciting to peers and audiences alike”.
Researchers from BOP Consulting and DHA Communications also found benefits for arts organisations that took part in the programme. There were increased opportunities for staff to develop new skills, and for organisations to develop audiences, raise their profile and improve the quality of their work. Developing partnerships was a priority for many organisations and 99% met or exceeded their expectations in this area. An estimated 1,600 new partnerships were formed by arts organisations, including with sport and education bodies. The researchers are hopeful that the programme will have a positive ongoing impact on the sector’s ability to work collaboratively.
Local authorities responding to the researchers said the programme had “brought about a profound shift in the way that culture is now thought about” and has helped them to understand how to integrate culture with other services. All 32 local authorities have included culture in their ‘legacy plan’ for the Games.
The Cultural Programme is also thought to have given a significant boost to tourism in Glasgow, with those who attended cultural events being more likely to want to return to visit the city than those who only attended sport.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson said: “Glasgow set new standards with the best ever Commonwealth Games and nowhere is that more apparent than in the way the Cultural Programme was developed as an integral part of the Games experience… Glasgow’s reputation as Scotland’s cultural powerhouse has been enhanced globally as a result and will reap rewards for the city for years to come.”
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