Join us in celebrating York with Colour & Light!

What is Colour & Light?

York BID is excited to announce the return of Colour & Light from 6th-25th February 2024. This project will transform the city centre with a vibrant light installation during the darker winter months, creating a magical and memorable experience for visitors and residents alike.

Colour & Light is a high impact and large-scale visual arts project, using 3D projection mapping to bring York’s iconic buildings to life. The project was launched in 2023 in partnership with York Minster. This year, York BID is thrilled to be working with York Museums Trust to illuminate the façade of York Art Gallery.

The display will run on a loop from 6-9pm for three weeks to support the early evening economy and enhance York’s cultural offering. The project is designed to be open to all; by working collaboratively with York Art Gallery and partners, York BID hopes to build on the success of the event to create an accessible and family-friendly experience that excites, engages and inspires.

How you can support Colour & Light 2024

Colour & Light was hugely successful in 2023, attracting 45,000 viewers over the three-week installation period. This project is all about supporting businesses at a typically quieter time of year, and the 2023 event saw restaurants at full capacity, with some even running out of food during the installation! With your support, we are confident that the 2024 event will be an even greater success.

The 2023 project was funded through an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) awarded to York BID to support the city’s recovery post-lockdown. There is a huge appetite to deliver this project again in early 2024, but without ARG funding we are now asking business and city leaders to support the event as a funding partner.

Colour & Light is an ambitious project that will transform York’s cityscape during a dark and quiet time of year. The project will have a significant impact on the city, including increased visitor numbers, enhanced economic activity and increased civic pride. The hope is that the project will have a lasting impact on viewers, broadening people’s perception of York as a dynamic, exciting and creative city.

What are the benefits of the project?

The Colour & Light project is a key part of York BID's strategy to make the city centre a more attractive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit. The project will:

  • Increase footfall and sales in the city centre during a typically quiet time of year for business
  • Promote York’s UNESCO City of Media Arts designation and enhance the city's reputation as a top cultural destination
  • Support the city’s Purple Flag priorities, improving the early evening and night time environment and encouraging visitors to stay in the city after dark
  • Enhance civic pride and cultural engagement.

How much does the event cost?

The cost to deliver the project is £45,000. This includes:

  • The development and installation of the projection (33%)
  • Equipment costs (33%)
  • The marketing and promotion of the project (10%)
  • The staffing costs for the security team looking after the installation (12%)
  • Safety and security measures (12%).

Why the project matters

York BID is committed to delivering projects that enhance visitor experience and support the local economy. Our ambition is to deliver this as a partnership project to demonstrate a coordinated approach to York’s UNESCO City of Media Arts designation and support for the local economy at a time when businesses are continuing to face rising costs and a squeeze on customer spend.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support businesses in the city centre and we are inviting you to join us in delivering this special event in 2024.

What's in it for me?

As a funding partner, you will have:

  • Your logo displayed as part of the projection and marketing of the event (for investments of £5k and above)
  • An invitation to the pre-launch event
  • Use of the York BID brand and assets
  • Recognition on York BID’s website and social media channels.

This is your chance to have a positive impact on the city and local economy. We welcome discussions on how we can work together within your budget.

If you are interested in becoming a funding partner for this project, please contact Rachel at rachel.bean@theyorkbid.com by Friday 12th January 2024, or call us on 01904 809970.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About York BID

York Business Improvement District (BID) represents over 900 businesses in the city centre. We work to improve York for businesses and visitors alike. Our work includes:

  • Marketing and promotion
  • Business support
  • Public realm improvements
  • Security and safety.

Contact

For more information about York BID, please visit our website at www.theyorkbid.com or contact us via:

Thank you for your interest in partnering with us for Colour & Light 2024.

Special thanks to York Museums Trust.

An image showing Colour and Light at York Minster
Colour and Light at York Minster 2023