Why I'm backing Plymouth's City of Culture 2017 bid.

With the continuing decline in its traditional marine and industrial infrastructure and the near catastrophic reduction in the size of the Naval Dockyard; Plymouth's future social and economic well being will likely both depend and centre on its potential as a tourist and leisure destination, in which an active, accessible and flourishing creative arts community will be nothing short of crucial.

This is a challenge Plymouth's established wealth of indigenous creatives, with their undeniable artistic excellence in fields as broadly diverse as sculpture and ceramics; painting and glass blowing; photography and literature, are both ready and willing to rise to.

Additionally, Plymouth is now proud home to a major and increasingly reputable university and one of the country's leading art colleges, cementing Plymouth's place as one of the most dynamic creative communities outside the capital.

Success in the forthcoming City of Culture 2017 bid would give this proud and ancient maritime city a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent in all fields of artistic endeavour that thrive in the city today against a historic and heritage backdrop second to none. And stamp its mark, indelibly, on the nation's creative psyche.

What do you think? The Plymouth Daily welcomes your ideas, views and opinions on the 2017 City of Culture bid.