Join the Conversation: Cultural Tides 2026

Cultural Tides is Hull’s flagship annual culture conference—bringing together local, national and international voices to shape the future of culture, creativity and place. Held every March, the event convenes artists, policymakers, educators, cultural leaders and communities for a day of ideas, dialogue and action. From the launch of Hull’s new Culture and Heritage Strategy to keynote insights from global leaders, Cultural Tides provides a collaborative space to explore how cities grow through culture. With powerful contributions from across Europe, and a focus on innovation, inclusion and impact, the conference champions Hull as a bold, creative city—and invites others to join its cultural journey.

At a Glance

Year	Attendance	Keynote Speaker	Event Focus	Themes
2026	TBC	TBA	Hull’s role within the changing global environement	Emerging technologies and their impact on cultural production
2025	250	Ms. Galyna Grygorenko (First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine)	Launch of Culture & Heritage Strategy 2025–30	Strategy delivery, pan‑Northern networks, STEAM hybridity, climate, youth voice
2024	170	Prof. John Holden (Author, speaker, and cultural commentator)	Launch of city-wide engagement on the cultural engagement strategy	Cultural ecologies, place & identity, community empowerment, large-scale project legacy

Cultural Tides Conference 2025

Themes: strategy implementation, futures thinking for heritage and culture, STEAM and industry partnership via Colliderfest, sustainability & climate response, children & youth creative futures, pan‑northern collaboration. Cllr Mike Ross began the day by launching the new Culture & Heritage Strategy 2025–30 and shared UNESCO bid plans.

Date & Venue: 14 March 2025, at Hull Truck Theatre, part of Colliderfest
Attendees: Over 250 delegates—a 50% increase from 2024 with national and international representation.

Keynote

Ms Galyna Grygorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture & Strategic Communications, Ukraine, explored international collaboration, cultural resilience, and policy alignment in times of conflict facilitated by Mark Babych (Hull Truck Theatre). Featured the UK premiere of the documentary Culture vs War: Serhiy Zhadan and reflections on culture’s role.

International & National Panels

The 2025 conference brought together an inspiring range of voices, each shaping the conversation around Hull’s cultural future and its international connections. Louise Yates BEM opened by linking the ambition of Back to Ours with Hull’s goal to cement its reputation as a leader in community-led culture and heritage. Cllr Mike Ross launched the city’s new culture and heritage strategy alongside the exciting UNESCO bid, while Cortina Butler of the British Council and Jude Kelly set a wider creative context with One Creative North. A dynamic Q&A with Ross, Butler, and Kelly, chaired by Phil Hargreaves, deepened the discussion. A highlight was the conversation between Darren Henley of Arts Council England and Eilish McGuinness of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, guided by Janthi Mills-Ward. The Nordic session, led by Paul Smith, explored Hull’s cultural links with Reykjavik, Aarhus, and Norrköping, with valuable insights from Arnfríður Sólrún, Lene Øster, and Sandra Wall. The day concluded powerfully with keynote speaker Galyna Grygorenko, First Deputy Minister for Culture of Ukraine, in dialogue with Mark Babych, followed by the premiere of Culture vs War. Serhiy Zhadan, reminding all participants of the urgent global role of culture in times of crisis.

Cultural Tides Conference 2024

Themes: place identity, sustaining large‑scale cultural legacy, empowering communities, launching Hull’s Cultural Strategy and ambition toward UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Date & Venue: 14 March 2024, Princes Quay Event Space, Hull
Attendees: 170 delegates from local arts, cultural, voluntary, education and business organisations

Keynote

• Professor John Holden (University of Leeds) presented on cultural ecologies, exploring how culture thrives within local systems and ecosystems

International & National Panels

1. Culture & Place addressed place‑making and local identityPanellists: Laura Dyer MBE (Places, Engagement & Libraries), Merlijn Poolman (Groningen, Netherlands), Nicky Chance‑Thompson MBE (Halifax Piece Hall), chaired by Louise Yates (Back To Ours)
2. Large‑Scale Initiatives — discussed sustaining momentum post‑major cultural moments Panelists: Claire McColgan CBE (Culture Liverpool), Ruth Hollis (Spirit 2012), Kully Thiarai (Leeds 2023)
3. Supporting Cities — focused on how cities can support cultural growthPanellists: Erika Clark (Belfast UNESCO Creative City of Music), Matthias Rauch (Mannheim UNESCO Creative City of Music), David Wilson (Expert Advisor to Creative Cities); chaired by James Dickinson (Hull Music Service)

Voice of Hull

• A locally produced film premiered, capturing what culture means to Hull residents and feeding into the new city‑wide Cultural Strategy

Evening Highlight

• A torch‑lit procession of 500 volunteers from Hull Minster to Hull Marina culminated in The Tower of Light, a spectacular public performance of pyrotechnics, music and theatre

As Cultural Tides continues to grow in ambition and impact, it offers a vital platform for exchange, collaboration, and bold thinking. Whether you’re a cultural leader, artist, policymaker or creative practitioner, the conference invites you to contribute to Hull’s evolving story—and to help shape a cultural future that is inclusive, innovative and connected.