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MARTIN GREEN has masterminded some of Britain’s most exciting cultural events, including the opening of The 02 in London; the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic torch relays; the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies; and the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ in Leeds. Such success has earned him an international reputation. As Director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, Green is overseeing 365 days of transformative culture as Hull hosts the nation’s cultural quadrennial. “ THERE IS AN INCREASED CONFIDENCEIN THE CITY”MARTIN GREEN, DIRECTOR, HULL 2017THE RISE OF HULLHULL’S TRANSFORMATION INTO A CULTURAL DESTINATION HAS BEEN CEMENTED BY THE TURNER PRIZE. MARTIN GREEN, DIRECTOR OF HULL 2017, EXAMINES WHAT IT WILL MEAN FOR THE REGIONIn a year that contains so many highlights, the Ferens Art Gallery hosting the Turner Prize as part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 has to be one of the biggest. It underlines the scale of our artistic ambition and our determination to see the city recognised as a signifi cant destination for visual arts and a cultural powerhouse of the North. We have all been thrilled by the response that has followed the reopening of the Ferens, not least in terms of the visitor numbers, which have exceeded everyone’s expectations. It coincides with an increased confi dence in the city. This includes Arts Council England (ACE) boosting its funding for projects in Hull, including an additional National Portfolio Organisation being announced and a 414 per cent increase in successful applications for ACE grants, which will contribute to a longer term legacy for Hull.The Ferens will be the fi fth venue outside London to present the Turner Prize. In partnership with Tate, our dedicated team at Hull 2017 are working with our outstanding colleagues at the Ferens for one of the most important events in the art calendar. We have brilliant curators in George Vasey and Sacha Craddock, who are working closely with the shortlisted artists Hurvin Anderson, Andrea Büttner, Lubaina Himid and Rosalind Nashashibi to plan how their work will be displayed at the exhibition, which will be free to visit. This is the fi rst time that the Turner Prize will be integrated into the same spaces as a gallery’s permanent collection, helping reframe the Ferens’ rich history.We are also excited that older artists are on the Turner Prize shortlist and by the depth of their work, which makes an overt commentary on society and some of the key issues of the day. This is a serious shortlist for serious times, balanced with the joy of it as stimulating and beautiful art. As a key part of the fi nal season in our City of Culture year, called Tell the World, we are delighted that the Turner Prize will attract national and even international attention for the city. We are also capitalising on the interest and enthusiasm of people living in Hull and the region. This includes activity as part of our learning programme, which is inspiring people of all ages, abilities and interests, including young people in every one of the 101 schools in the city. In this way, the Turner Prize has a key part to play in creating a legacy that will continue long after 2017.Read more about the Turner Prize on page 48FIRST WORD05The Arts Society ReviewAutumn 2017