The collective recognised there could be significant opportunities, and central to this was generating a shared understanding of and vision for cultural engagement in Hull & East Yorkshire’s devolution journey.
In response, HEY Creative delivered 7 workshops to support sectoral understanding of devolution and to generate ideas for a proposed way forward. Reviewing the outcome of these workshops alongside how other areas have approached devolution, HEY Creative decided to develop an Arts, Culture & Heritage Devolution Manifesto.
Arts, Culture & Heritage Devolution Manifesto
In Spring 2025, candidates to be Hull & East Yorkshire’s first Mayor were urged to put arts, culture and heritage at the heart of their plans for the region.
The Hull & East Yorkshire Arts, Culture & Heritage Devolution Manifesto challenged all Mayoral candidates to seize the huge opportunity offered by the area’s rich cultural scene to maximise the positive impact on the region’s economy and community.
Cultural organisations, events and activities contribute tens of millions of pounds annually to the Hull & East Yorkshire economy, while giving a significant boost to health and wellbeing, and bringing communities together in more than 250 venues across the region.
Published on World Theatre Day 2025 (Thursday 27th March), cultural leaders came together to promote the manifesto and its powerful message that culture, the arts and heritage must be central to the region’s exciting future under its new Mayor.
The Manifesto was created in consultation with Hull & East Yorkshire’s arts, culture and heritage community – as well as partners in business, education, healthcare and the voluntary sector.
Commitments are aligned to the Strategic Themes of Hull & East Yorkshire’s devolution proposal, with examples to provide inspiration to Mayoral candidates.
“This manifesto sets out how arts, culture and heritage can be leveraged by our new Mayor to enhance connectivity, increase productivity, promote inclusivity and deliver a sustainable future”
Dominic Gibbons, Chair
Janthi Mills-Ward, Vice Chair
Max May, Chief Officer, HEY Creative
Culture & Visitor Economy Hustings
HEY Creative collaborated with the Advisory Board of Visit Hull & East Yorkshire to convene a Culture & Economy Hustings, on Wednesday 9th April 2025.
All seven Mayoral candidates participated, and each affirmed their support for the Hull & East Yorkshire Arts, Culture & Devolution Manifesto.
The sold-out event gave attendees the opportunity to pose questions to and hear from candidates on a range of issues across culture and the visitor economy, as well as their broader vision for the region.
You can read more about the event by our follow-up press release here. A recording of the event is available here, and a transcript can be provided upon request.
“The strong turnout we saw at our hustings demonstrates the tremendous support for culture and the visitor economy in our region, and the vital role they play in local life. Culture and tourism are both huge economic opportunities for the region, as recognised by the mayoral candidates.”
Max May, Chief Officer, HEY Creative
