Linz is extremely pleased to have been accepted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which links forward-looking cities and metropolises worldwide in the seven creative industries of literature, film, music, crafts and folk art, design, gastronomy and, of course, media art.

Linz has held the title "UNESCO City of Media Arts" since December 1, 2014.
 This is both an award and a mandate - for the development of Linz and the region towards an even stronger positioning on media art and as a creative economic center of Austria. At the same time, it is in line with the goals of the current cultural development plan to continue to push internationalization and engage in networks even after the successful Capital of Culture year 2009. Thanks to its pioneering role in the field of digital media art and culturally oriented urban development, Linz can contribute a great deal of know-how and many years of experience to the network and continue to make its mark as a "creative center of Europe" in a targeted manner in the international competition among cities and regions.

Linz in the network of creative cities

Since 2004, cities from all over the world have been able to apply for inclusion in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. 69 cities worldwide now belong to this network. It is intended to facilitate the development of existing potential, promote the domestic and international development of cultural products, create additional jobs and promote the social and economic development of the city.
 
 Linz is joined by seven other cities that can call themselves "UNESCO City of Media Arts." Enghien-les-Bains and Lyon (France), Sapporo (Japan) and, since December 1, Dakar (Senegal), Gwangju (South Korea), Tel Aviv-Yafo (Israel) and York (Great Britain).

Further steps

Admission to the network not only gives Linz the title, but also the right to use the UNESCO logo in the city's image. Based on the UNESCO documents, guidelines for the use of the logo will be developed in coordination with the existing urban image. At the beginning of 2015, an advisory board consisting of renowned representatives of Linz's art and culture sector, the creative industries, universities and other educational sectors, and tourism will be constituted, and responsible persons will be officially appointed. Furthermore, an own homepage will be created. Preparations are also being made for a first network meeting at Ars Electronica 2015. The establishment of a network of interests within the city and the state of Upper Austria is also one of the priority measures.
 
 UNESCO requires Creative Cities to conduct a self-evaluation in the form of a report on activities after a few years of membership in order to share the experience with the other cities in the network. In general, the contribution of the network cities is the sharing and contribution of know-how, experience in socio-cultural urban development and creative industries, and the willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with other cities.   

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (new window)

Press conference on the occasion of Linz's inclusion in UNESCO's Creative Cities network (Dec. 2, 2014)

CONTACT

Linz Culture
 Pfarrgasse 7
 4041   Linz Tel: +43 732 7070 0
 Fax: +43 732 7070 1955
 E-mail: lk@mag.linz.at

SOURCE:https://www.linz.at/kultur/cityofmediaarts.asp