In 2014 York successfully bid to become the UK’s first UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts – where new media technologies are combined with creative practice (including AR, VR, gaming, graphics, animation, immersive technologies, interactive art, sound, film, television and theatre) for social, cultural and commercial benefit. From this the Guild of Media Arts and York Mediale festival have developed to put the designation into action.
Our media arts projects, professionals and practitioners combine new media technologies are with creative practice (including VR, gaming, animation, interactive art, sound, film, television and theatre) for social and cultural benefit. From this the Guild of Media Arts and York Mediale festival have developed to put the designation into action.
How does UNESCO City of Media Arts support the York Narrative? Here's some examples...
York was the first city to receive this designation in the UK, and through UNESCO it is now connected with the global Creative Cities network and the 16 other cities of media arts around the world.
Culture and creativity can have a huge impact on people’s physical and mental health so the UNESCO City of Media Arts project will continue to work to support wellbeing for everyone in the city. Recent examples include the hugely popular Northern Lights sound and light projection at the Minster and the first UK showing of the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.
The UNESCO connection provides new opportunities to learn, trade, collaborate and innovate with creative bodies all over the world.
