Culture, Place and Policy Institute

The first evaluation of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 was completed in March 2018, with the production of the report Cultural Transformations: The Impacts of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, Preliminary Outcomes Evaluation.  The ambitious release of findings just months after the end of the 2017 cultural year, provided practitioners and policy makers with an early evidence base to inform and shape future planning. The study will help Hull build a strong and sustainable legacy from the City of Culture project, whilst assisting other cities bidding to become future Cities of Culture.

The results of the first evaluation were disseminated at a major conference on 15-16 March attended by over 330 delegates. The audience was made up of representatives from the cultural sector at local, national and international level, academics and students from across disciplines and local communities.

Snapshots of the preliminary findings are:

• £32.8m was raised for the cultural programme, more than double the original fundraising target, from more than 80 local and national funding partners.
• The success of the year was only possible as a result of a series of strategic partnerships, ranging from Hull City Council as host city partner to other public sector agencies, to national arts institutions, the media, health providers and Government.
• Hull’s UK City of Culture year attracted a total audience of 5.3 million attending over 2,800 events, cultural activities, installations and exhibitions.
• Over half of the audiences were from Hull with nearly all residents (over 95%) attending at least one cultural activity during the year. The evaluation evidenced a new confidence in local people, with significant increases (+9%) in residents’ willingness to take part in a range of cultural and non-cultural activities, including volunteering and sport.
• 3 in 4 residents reported being proud to live in Hull and the city achieved significant national profile, securing over 20,200 pieces of media exposure across print, online and broadcast media outlets.
• Many audiences were new to Hull’s cultural offer, with over 60% of ticket-buying audiences being first time bookers. Record audience figures, exceeding 1.4 million, were seen by the city’s galleries and museums and major theatres, halls and performance venues across Hull experienced an increase in ticket sales of more than 30%.
• 75% of those who visited Hull in 2017 stated that it changed their perception of the city for the better.
• 1 in 4 businesses surveyed in Hull and East Riding took on new staff in 2017 and 1 in 5 businesses extended their opening hours. Over half of businesses surveyed felt that 2017 had contributed to increased turnover.
• 18% of residents said that Hull 2017 inspired them to attend a course or study something they saw during the year.