York Culture Strategy Launched at Reignite XII: What It Means for the City’s Future

Ever wondered what gives a city its buzz? It’s not just the old buildings or the fancy shops. It’s the feeling you get walking around, the things you can see and do, the art, the music, the stories. Basically, it’s the culture. And in York, something pretty major happened on 29th January 2026 to shape exactly that. The city’s brand-new Culture Strategy was officially launched at a big event called Reignite XII. Over 250 of the city's top leaders from business, education, the arts and the public sector all gathered at the Yorkshire Museum to map out a creative and exciting future for York. It was all about putting culture right where it belongs: at the centre of everything.

What's the Culture Strategy all about?

Think of the York Culture Strategy as a shared game plan for the city. It’s a clear roadmap for everything to do with arts, heritage, and cultural development. But it’s not just a dusty document for museum bosses. This strategy is about making sure culture helps drive economic growth, connects people, and boosts civic pride for everyone in York. The launch happened at a special event called Reignite XII: The Future of Culture. It brought together a huge mix of people – from artists and festival organisers to tech bosses and university heads - to talk about the city's shared goals. This wasn't just another meeting; it was a significant moment setting a new direction for the city's future. The aim is to weave culture into the fabric of York’s economic and social life, making it a core part of the city's identity and success.

The whole day was buzzing with ideas. Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, summed it up perfectly:

“Reignite XII marked a defining moment for York. The launch of the Culture Strategy gives the city a clear framework and shared ambition for how culture can drive economic growth, social connection and civic pride. The energy in the room was electric, and it was inspiring to see such a broad mix of voices committed to shaping York’s cultural future together.”

Getting everyone around the table

The event, part of a long-running leadership forum, explored some big questions about the future of culture. The discussions weren't just fluffy, abstract chats; they focused on real challenges and opportunities. People talked about everything from making arts organisations more sustainable and finding new ways to generate income, to building creative careers and making sure museums and galleries are keeping up with what people want today. It’s all about practical development and innovation.

What makes the Reignite XII event so special is the incredible range of people it brings together. Imagine creative thinkers sitting alongside leaders from retail, hospitality, transport, and education. It highlights that culture isn't a 'nice to have' – it's essential infrastructure for a thriving city. Just like roads or broadband, a strong cultural scene is vital. To prove York is thinking big, the programme even included speakers from national institutions like the Manchester Museum, placing the city's ambitions in a much wider UK conversation about the power of the arts and heritage.

This spirit of collaboration is at the very core of the new Culture Strategy. Rachel Bean, Project Manager at York BID, said:

“Culture plays a vital role in how York functions and how people experience the city. Reignite brings together sectors that don’t always sit around the same table, and that’s what makes it so powerful. The Culture Strategy provides a shared vision that businesses, cultural organisations and civic leaders can all get behind.”

Connecting culture and business for a better York

The whole point of this collaboration is to show how a lively culture benefits everyone. When the arts scene is active, the whole city is active. It helps shape how York grows, making it a place that attracts talented people, new investment, and, of course, visitors. Think about it – people might come to see an exhibition, but they’ll also grab a coffee, have dinner, or stay in a hotel. That's why having leaders from the hospitality and business sectors involved is so important. This cross-sector approach is what the Reignite leadership forum has been championing for years. Now in its twelfth edition, it has welcomed over 3,000 attendees, all helping to position culture as a key driver for economic growth in York.

This event wasn’t just a one-off. It built on serious momentum and showed there’s a real desire to work together and make the ambitions in the York Culture Strategy a reality. The partners behind the event, including Aesthetica and York BID, are key players in the city's cultural landscape. Aesthetica, for instance, is the international organisation behind huge events like the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival, the prestigious Aesthetica Art Prize, and the thought-provoking Future Now Symposium. They're all about supporting artists and cities to build sustainable, ambitious cultural futures through creativity and innovation.

What's next for the future of culture in York?

The launch of the Culture Strategy on 29th January 2026 was just the beginning. The conversation is set to continue, with the next Reignite event planned for mid-March. That session will focus on Creative Technologies, diving into how innovation and new tech are shaping the future of creativity and the arts. It shows a real commitment to keeping the conversation going and turning these ambitious plans into action. The ultimate goal is to cement York’s reputation not just as a city with incredible heritage, but as a forward-thinking hub of culture and creativity.

The message from Reignite XII was loud and clear: a strong cultural sector is the backbone of a successful city. The new Culture Strategy provides the framework, and now the work begins to bring that vision to life through continued collaboration between the city’s many leaders, from the public sector to private business, and from education to the arts. Everyone is encouraged to get involved by reading the strategy online and sharing it widely. After all, this is a plan for everyone who loves York.