Turner Prize and BAFTA-Nominated Artists to Headline Reignite XV: Liftoff in York
Internationally acclaimed artists and filmmakers, including Turner Prize nominee Heather Phillipson and BAFTA-nominated artist and filmmaker Larry Achiampong, will join emerging creatives in York this June for Reignite XV: Liftoff – an event placing the future of the creative economy firmly in the spotlight.
Taking place on Thursday 4th June at Temple Hall, York St John University, the evening marks a major collaboration between Reignite and York St John Art & Design, bringing together internationally recognised practitioners alongside more than 150 works from graduating students at the point they step into professional creative life.
Alongside presentations and discussions from Joanne Coates, Steve Messam and Baff Akoto, the event will explore the realities of building sustainable careers in the arts – from navigating uncertainty and access to opportunity, to retaining creative talent within the region.
The event arrives at a significant moment for York and North Yorkshire’s creative industries. As the UK’s only UNESCO City of Media Arts, York has spent the past decade positioning creativity, digital innovation and cultural production at the centre of economic development. Since receiving the designation in 2014, the city has become part of UNESCO’s global Creative Cities Network, recognising York as an international centre for media arts, digital culture and creative innovation.
Creative industries are now among the fastest-growing sectors of both the regional and national economy. Across the UK, the sector contributes more than £145 billion annually and supports over 2.3 million jobs. Yet despite that growth, only 3% of creative industry jobs are based in York and North Yorkshire – a challenge Reignite has increasingly sought to address through sector advocacy, collaboration and talent development.
Over recent years, Reignite has become an important platform for bringing together leaders across culture, education, business and local government to rethink how the creative industries can drive economic growth, placemaking and innovation across the region. The initiative has focused particularly on creating stronger pathways between education and industry while championing York and North Yorkshire as a place where creative careers can begin and develop long term.
Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, says: “Liftoff reflects a wider shift in how the creative sector must support emerging talent.” She also adds that “York’s UNESCO City of Media Arts designation continues to strengthen the city’s international cultural profile while helping build the infrastructure needed to support future generations of artists and filmmakers. It is my ambition that as a city and region we all turn out to support the new talent and we celebrate it in a way that has not been done before. When you do to Edinburgh for their degree shows there are queues down the street and that’s what I want in York. I want these young people to know that as a city, we want them to succeed.”
That sense of long-term investment is central to the event’s wider ambition. Rachel Bean, Project Manager at York BID, said: “The creative industries are playing an increasingly important role in shaping York’s economic future, contributing not only to culture but to innovation, tourism, skills and inward investment.” She continued: “Reignite XV: Liftoff is part of a broader effort to ensure graduates and emerging creatives feel they can stay in the region and build sustainable careers here.”
The collaboration also reflects York St John University’s wider commitment to embedding professional practice and industry engagement within arts education. Professor Helen Julia Minors, Dean of the School of the Arts, said: “The university is committed to ensuring students graduate into a connected and supportive creative ecosystem, where emerging talent is recognised not simply as future potential, but as an essential part of the region’s cultural and economic growth.” She adds: “Liftoff is an opportunity to place students directly within conversations shaping the future of the creative industries locally, nationally and internationally.
Alongside artist presentations, guests will have the opportunity to experience the graduate showcase before an evening networking reception bringing together creatives, organisations and industry professionals from across the region.
The programme begins at 6pm with arrivals and presentations, followed by the graduate exhibition viewing and DJ-led networking reception running until 9pm.
Cherie Federico describe Reignite XV: Liftoff as both a celebration of emerging talent and a wider statement about the role creativity will play in the future prosperity of York and North Yorkshire – reinforcing the region’s growing reputation as a centre for media arts, innovation and cultural leadership.
Attendance is free, with advance booking required: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reignite-xv-liftoff-breaking-in-building-forward-tickets-1989095550336?aff=oddtdtcreator