Agenda item

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, that –

Members of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to –

GRAHAM PACKHAM

for the dedication he has shown in all aspects of his work on their Committee, and the exemplary manner in which he has presided over the Committee during his three years as Chair.

GRAHAM HAS DEMONSTRATED his commitment to developing a thriving cultural offering for those who live, work and visit the City. With Graham’s oversight, the City has continued to see growth in its cultural institutions, including the Guildhall Art Gallery, Tower Bridge and Monument, Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, and the City of London Police Museum. In this time, the City has welcomed countless City workers, residents and visitors to Guildhall through engaging Guildhall Yard programming, with a wider and comprehensive programme of outdoor arts which has included Women: Work and Power in 2018 and Fantastic Feats in 2019, attracting audiences in excess of 56,000 and 96,000 respectively.

UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, the Committee has brought innovative work and world-class artists to the City’s public realm, and attracted new audiences through Sculpture in the City and the City Arts Initiative, and the new Guildhall Artist in Residence programme. Through the Inspiring London Through Culture grants programme, he has, with the Committee’s support, enabled organisations and individual artists to deliver a vibrant and exciting portfolio of work for City communities. With the Committee’s endorsement, the City Corporation has supported new events, including the London Landmarks Half Marathon, which in 2019 welcomed 12,000 participants, 49,000 spectators and raised over £6 million for 180 charities and Fields of Battle, Wizarding World, House of Sound and London Games Festival which have collectively attracted over half a million visitors.

HIS COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY has brought modernised technologies to Barbican & Community Libraries, and innovative programming for adults, children and families to engage with a vast selection of literary resources. His dedication to the City’s rich history has contributed to the thriving relationships between the City and its Benefices, and to award-winning recognition at the London Metropolitan Archives. Additionally, Keats200 was launched in 2019 celebrating the 200^th anniversary of John Keats living at Wentworth Place, supported by Graham as Chair of the Keats House Consultative Committee.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, Graham’s legacy will include realising the aims of the City’s Cultural Strategy and the Visitor Destination Strategy, both adopted under his leadership, to further transform the City’s public realm to be a more open, distinct, welcoming and culturally vibrant destination. With Graham’s support, the City has continued to realise and grow in its journey as a powerful influencer in the national cultural landscape.