Successful Media Arts Showcase Transforms York’s Creative Future

Reignite: Economic Impact through Creative Industries launched in autumn to celebrate York’s creative sector and its significant impact on the local economy. The event brought together representatives across all sectors to unite under York’s UNESCO Media Arts designation, with the aim of encouraging all sectors in York, including hospitality, retail, and transport, to recognise the vast potential of York’s creative sector to transform the city’s economy.

Organisations Aesthetica, Viridian FX, Bright White, York Museums Trust, the National Railway Museum, and a panel of young creatives highlighted the need to embrace the city’s UNESCO designation to strengthen the local economy, with ambitions to create educational pathways, develop new skills and jobs, and attract investment.

The event then returned as part of the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival, which sees York become a cinematic playground for global giants in the media and gaming industries.

Reignite II: The Creative Economy brought together key partners and industry leaders to explore the impact of large-scale cultural programming on York’s wider economy and featured a film screening and Q&A with some of the UK’s most significant creative talent. The discussion focused on the role of media arts in driving economic growth, attracting tourism, and fostering a vibrant and creative city for years to come.

The event schedule is supported by City of York Council, York Business Improvement District (BID), Aesthetica, Viridian FX, and York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

(Written by Rachel Bean, Project Manager, York BID)