Absolutely Cultured has today (22 May) been announced as the new name for the company which delivered Hull’s year of arts and culture in 2017. Built on the foundations of the Culture Company, the new brand is now refocused for a longer-term mission to capitalise on the success of City of Culture 2017.
Absolutely Cultured has also confirmed its renewed purpose as a permanent arts organisation, rooted in the city, and revealed details of some of the events to look forward to in the coming year, including Dominoes, a major summer event and celebration on 11 August. Dominoes will take over Hull, playing with the architecture of the city on a 3.5km domino run – created from thousands of breezeblocks and constructed by over 400 of the company’s iconic City of Culture Volunteers.
Led by creative director Katy Fuller, who has been part of the Hull UK City of Culture journey since 2015, and with cultural specialist Lee Corner as the new chair, Absolutely Cultured will be commissioning and producing a high quality programme of cultural events for residents and visitors.
Fuller says: “In 2017, as Hull UK City of Culture, we invited the city of Hull to get absolutely cultured – and it did, but 2017 was only the beginning.
“We’re extremely proud of the roots of this company and its achievements during 2017. While we have a refocused purpose, at the very heart of that is the continuation of a programme of events which appeal to the huge audience we know we have in Hull, as well as being relevant and interesting to visitors and those watching from afar.”
As well as this core programme, Absolutely Cultured will continue to run Humber Street Gallery and grow the City of Culture Volunteer Programme.
As an official funding partner, Hull City Council has committed to supporting Absolutely Cultured in these endeavours for the next three years.
Cllr Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council said: “2017 was a massive year for Hull and a real turning-point in terms of investment and profile for the city. I’m delighted to see Absolutely Cultured announce some exciting large-scale public events for all residents and visitors to enjoy in 2018. I’m also pleased to see that the volunteer programme is going to continue, with participants working across many more aspects of life in the city, including health, community development and sport. The Absolutely Cultured programme is just one part of our city’s great cultural offer that will continue to keep Hull on the map in 2018 and beyond.”
Photo: Queen Victoria Square fountains, Hull, courtesy of Neil Nicklin.
