Reignite IX celebrates York’s emerging talent and reinforces the city’s commitment to shaping the future of the creative industries. The strength of a city’s future rests on how it nurtures and sustains talent. As York’s creative industries grow, developing a strong and sustainable pipeline is essential. The Next Generation embody the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that will drive York’s future prosperity.

Hear from a panel including Viridian and Aesthetica. Our keynote speaker, Joanne Coates, is a visual artist and photographer whose work explores rural life, hidden histories and inequality. She has exhibited at BALTIC and Jerwood, won the Jerwood/Photoworks Award, and in 2024 was long-listed for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. Meet 150 artists and designers, see new work, network and connect. Celebrate the next generation of talent at Reignite IX.

Supported by Aesthetica, York St John University, York BID, City of York Council and UK Government.

Reignite VIII celebrated the art of placemaking and cultural transformation. We welcomed key voices leading the charge: Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar, from Bradford City of Culture, brought inspiring first-hand insights into how cities can harness creativity to craft new narratives.

From Bradford’s ambitious vision for 2025, as well as York’s designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts, these discussions explored the role of culture in reimagining place – moving beyond preservation to invention.

We hosted a lively panel discussion with representatives from different sectors to share good practice and asked key questions such as: How do we make space for new identities within historic cities? How can cultural programming bridge generational and socio-economic divides? What does it mean for education, technology, and urban development?

The event was supported by Aesthetica, York BID, York Museums Trust, and the City of York Council, and is Funded UK Government.

Reignite VII celebrated innovation and collaboration. The event brought together pioneers from across disciplines, each pushing boundaries and reimagining what creativity could achieve in the digital age. Speakers included York Minster’s new Centre for Excellence, Viridian Labs and Peel X.

The Centre presented its work on digital preservation and immersive storytelling, from 3D scanning to augmented reality overlays, which transforms how we engage with history. Viridian Labs showcased the potential of the Apple Vision Pro, whilst Peel X showed us groundbreaking wearable tech and installations that reimagine how we experience performance and interactivity. For artists, technologists, and anyone with a passion for the creative, this was an evening not to be missed.

The event was supported by the following organisations: Aesthetica, York Minster, City of York Council, Funded UK Government, York BID and York Museums Trust.

Reignite VI: Culture Makes Places was the sixth part of the hugely popular event series. Representatives from three UNESCO Cities of Media Arts – Braga (Portugal), Linz (Austria), and Oulu (Finland) – shared how they leverage culture to drive transformative change in their cities. Attendees discovered how culture enhances economic development, creates jobs, and offers skills and opportunities for young people, fostering growth and innovation across the entire urban ecosystem. Reignite VI: Culture Makes Places ran during the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival.

The event was opened by Mayor David Skaith, followed by an address from Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica. Presentations from each city explored their unique approaches, followed by a dynamic panel discussion led by Heather Niven (University of York). The evening concluded with a drinks reception and a visit to the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO at the Guildhall. The EXPO celebrated a decade of York’s designation. This was an opportunity to learn how culture is shaping the future of cities globally.

Speakers included Joana Miranda, Braga; Christoph Kremer, Linz; Sami Ylisaari, Oulu. Partners included Aesthetica, York BID and City of York Council.

On 4 September 2024, we explored unexpected collaborations. Surprising and innovative results occur when different organisations come together, breaking traditional boundaries and fostering creativity. Held at Yorkshire Museum, Reignite V showcased partnerships that have led to new innovations across the city. Attendees listened to speakers from: Pilot Theatre, who shared their work with new technologies; City Cruises, who worked with Netflix on Bodies; the National Railway Museum, who commissioned artworks for WonderLab; and Castle Howard, who have recently organised an ambitious Tony Cragg programme.

The focus of Reignite V was to shine a light on innovative collaborations and ask questions about how, as a city, we can work together across sectors. Talks were followed by a LATE event at York Art Gallery, which offered access to the collections and a last chance to see the gallery’s hugely successful Monet show.

The event was supported by the following organisations: Aesthetica, City of York Council, Ellers Farm Distillery Dutch Barn Vodka, Funded UK Government, City Cruises, Pilot Theatre, Castle Howard, NRM, York BID and York Museums Trust.

On 11 April, Reignite III brought leading figures from York’s business and cultural sectors together to explore the city’s rise as a global creative hub. The event at Yorkshire Museum highlighted our thriving creative exports and how the city could further position itself on the international stage. As we approach the 10th year of this designation, we explored how York could better leverage this to boost creative industries, fostering opportunities, economic growth and careers. Following the presentations, York Art Gallery came alive with a dynamic after-hours programme. Guests enjoyed a live DJ and drinks whilst exploring the gallery’s exhibitions after dark. A dedicated drawing studio provided a space for artistic expression, whilst a bespoke Audio Visual experience created by Viridian FX (House of the Dragon, Netflix, HBO, Amazon) showed how sound and light can interact with the body.

Our speakers come from leading businesses across York. Hear from: Mark Fordyce (York Data Services), Andrew Lowson (York BID), Sarah Loftus (Make It York), Kathryn Blacker (York Museums Trust), Cherie Federico (Aesthetica), Tim Leigh (Stage One), Louis Bamber (Button Down Productions) and Helena Jones (AY-PE).