Further Research

Research presentation at St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry (Photograph: Kelly Mostert)

Independent Research

In addition to the research and evaluation activities and papers that were commissioned either by the Coventry City of Culture Trust or funded projects, further independent Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 (UK CoC 2021) related research has been undertaken.

There are multiple sources of further UK CoC 2021 research that include independent teams, PhD studies and reports from further afield that address a national audience.

Arts and Homelessness in Coventry

A report published in August 2022, based on a three-year study, considered Arts and Homelessness in Coventry in relation to UK CoC 2021. It examined initiatives to re-think and re-position how arts and creativity can change perceptions, policy and outcomes for those who are or have been homeless in Coventry. It centres attention on two initiatives specifically:

Key Cities: Culture and Place in Britain

In February 2023, the Key Cities network that represents 27 urban cities/centres published its Culture and Place in Britain report.

The report calls for a more inclusive approach to stimulating the economy and highlighting a link between low cultural engagement and deprivation. It includes comparative results of a cultural survey and makes a series of stakeholder-led recommendations, including investing in creative industries and putting culture at the heart of a renewed drive for hyperlocal devolution.

Evaluating Cities and Capitals of Culture

In May 2022, an article entitled Evaluating Cities and Capitals of Culture considered that research-based evaluation should be:

  • focused on learning (not on the celebration of CoC events or on PR to this end)
  • polyvocal and inclusive of interested constituencies
  • critical, independent and resistant to boosterism, hype and any attempts at censorship.