Shadow Minister issues rallying cry for Hull 2017

Shadow Culture Minister Helen Goodman MP has written to the directors of England’s nationally funded cultural institutions, asking for their “moral and practical support” for Hull, City of Culture 2017. The letter has been sent to the 15 cultural institutions funded directly by the DCMS, including the British Museum, V&A, Tate, The National Gallery, and Imperial War Museum, as well as the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and BFI. Noting the “national remit” of these institutions, their public funding, and their role as “centres of expertise, good practice and resource”, she said: “I have no doubt that you will understand the scale and significance of what Hull will be undertaking over the next three years.” She is calling on them to play a role in the City of Culture preparations and told them “I would be very interested to hear what you are doing”. During a recent visit to Hull, Goodman was shown where re-development was planned in the city, and where preparations have already started. She said: “I was very impressed by the preparations I saw, from the Ferens Art Gallery to the pop up photography shop, and am excited to see what 2017 brings.”