THE region’s tourism capital has been officially designated a City of Media Arts by UNESCO.
The accolade recognises everyone involved in York’s vibrant digital arts scene, including computer games designers to online publishers
The city’s chief executive, Kersten England, said the designation by the United Nations agency 'flies the flag for York’s bid to be the first port of call for media arts in the UK and indeed, one of the most creative cities in the world.'
Other designated cities include Dakar in Senegal,Tel Aviv-Yafo in Israel, Lyon in France and Sapporo in Japan.
To achieve the status, cities have to demonstrate development of cultural and creative industries triggered by digital technology, successful media arts integration into urban life, and wider access to culture through digital technology development.
Creative and digital businesses are said to be the largest growth area of York's economy, benefitting from significant investment in supporting infrastructure in recent years, including the £20m Ron Cooke Hub for creative enterprise and the new £30m Heslington Studios at the University of York.
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