Creative Hull is an opportunity to rediscover and celebrate our city

With Creative Hull coming up soon, Roisha Wardlaw, our Learning and Participation Manager, shares her thoughts on the creativity that’s deeply rooted in our city.

Check out her journey back in time and how it has influenced her perspectives on what Hull has to offer.

As the product of two exiled Hull graduates, Hull creativity was a defining part of my childhood. From the music of Everything But the Girl, the poetry of Douglas Dunn, visits to the theatre to see the plays by John Godber and my dad shouting “he went to Hull” whenever a film by Anthony Minghella came on the TV. I’m also probably one of a handful of people who holidayed in Hull in the 80s, which involved visits to Hull’s Museums, parks and walks across the Humber Bridge. Clearly these experiences left an impression both on my choice of University (Hull) and career (the arts).

Now I have my own children, and Creative Hull has made me think about what Hull’s creativity means to them and how much we’ve missed over the last year and a half. From visits to Hull Truck Theatre and Ferens Art Gallery, to the events that mark the year including The Big Malarkey Festival and Freedom Festival, to everyday creativity such as visits to libraries to the street art springing up around Hull.

Sometimes, living in a place where there are so many creative opportunities, it’s easy to take these for granted.

Over the years, welcoming friends and family from around the country and the world, I’ve realised how lucky in Hull we are. So a shout out to some of the amazing people and organisations who keep children and young people creative – Hull Libraries, Hull Museums The Herd, Hull ScrapStore, Hull Truck Theatre, Middle Child, Freedom Festival, Humber Street Sesh, The Warren, Hull Music Hub, First Story, Artlink, Creative Voice, Hull Jazz Festival, NAPA, Creative Briefs, My Pockets, Hull and East Riding Children’s University, The University of Hull, Hull College and all the council staff, youth workers, teachers and school support staff and many, many more.

I’m looking forward to Creative Hull as it’s an opportunity for families, children and young people to reconnect to, rediscover and celebrate their city.